Open verdict into woman’s death after ‘exorcism’ ritual

The Judicial Medical Officer of the Dambulla Hospital yesterday returned an open verdict on the death of a woman from   Galkiriyagama who died after falling ill during a ritual conducted by an exorcist.

Following a post mortem he ordered the body parts of the victim to be sent to the Government Analyst for further medical tests.

Police Sergeant A.M.Karunaratne testifying at the inquest said that the family of the deceased woman had asked her to participate in the ritual in order to get rid of an illicit affair she was having with another man. They had called it an astrological remedy.

The 26-year-old exorcist and a 24-year-old woman said to be his girlfriend who assisted the exorcist in performing the ritual on two women and a man in Dasgiriya, Laggala were arrested after one of the women, a 48-year-old resident of Galkiriyagama died due to a sudden illness.

Police said the woman had suddenly fallen ill during the ritual performed during the night last Friday and had died after being admitted to the Dambulla Hospital. She was first admitted to the Dasgiriya Hospital and later transferred to the Dambulla Hospital.

The exorcist who had performed the ritual had forced the three participants to drink 21 king coconuts and the one who died had suddenly fallen ill. Then, the exorcist had given her water mixed with turmeric powder to drink. The woman had fallen seriously ill after drinking the water mixed with turmeric.

The exorcist and his girlfriend have been remanded till June 27 after being produced in Court.