Girl dies during exorcism ritual in Sri Lanka

Gulf Today Report 

Sri Lanka’s Police on Monday said they arrested two people following the death of a 9-year-old girl that passed away during exorcism.

The girl was repeatedly beaten during a ritual believed to drive away evil spirit over the weekend in Delgoda, a small town northeast of the capital Colombo. 

The two suspects - the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother – will be appearing in court on Monday.

According to police spokesperson Ajith Rohana, the mother believed her daughter had been possessed by a demon and took her to the home of the exorcist so a ritual could be performed to drive the spirit away. 

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The exorcist poured oil on the girl and then began to beat her with a can, the girl lost consciousness and eventually taken to a hospital, where she passed on.

Authorities have scheduled an autopsy for Monday.

The woman who performed the ritual on the girl was known in the area for offering such services in recent months and police were investigating whether anyone else had been abused, Rohana said.