Woman dies after charm, shaman arrested

A Kattadiya (a local shaman) who had performed a charm on two women and a man in Dasgiriya, Laggala, was arrested after one of the women died due to a sudden illness.  

Police said the woman had suddenly taken ill during the ritual performed from last Friday (16) evening to Saturday (17) morning and had died after being admitted to the Dambulla Hospital.  

 The deceased is a 48-year-old woman from Galkiriyagama.  

The shaman had given 21 king coconuts to the three individuals to drink from time to time while performing the ritual and one of the women had suddenly taken ill. The shaman had then given her water mixed with turmeric powder to drink.  

The woman had fallen seriously ill after drinking the water mixed with turmeric and had been admitted to the Dasgiriya Hospital and later transferred to the Dambulla Hospital where she had died.  

The 25-year-old shaman who had performed the ritual has been arrested over the incident.