Sri Lankan health minister demoted for promoting magic potions to prevent Covid-19
- Pavithra Wanniarachchi contracted the virus after publicly consuming and endorsing a ‘magic potion’ against Covid-19 made by a sorcerer
- The number of daily virus deaths crossed 150 in the past week, overwhelming crematoriums, and daily cases have exceeded 3,000, with hospitals struggling to cope
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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office said Pavithra Wanniarachchi’s health portfolio had been given to Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is also the government spokesman.
Wanniarachchi was in intensive care in January after contracting the virus despite publicly consuming and endorsing a “magic potion” against Covid-19 made by a sorcerer.
Sri Lankan minister who took ‘magic potion’ tests positive for Covid-19
She also poured a pot of “blessed” water into a river in November after a self-styled god-man told her that it would end the pandemic in the island nation of 21 million people.
Sri Lanka’s health ministry under Wanniarachchi came under intense criticism last week for understating coronavirus infections.
Despite the demotion, she will remain in the cabinet – the president gave her the less important transport ministry.
Daily infections crossed 3,000, and with hospitals struggling to cope, even government health workers say the actual number of infections could be three times higher.
The government has so far rejected calls for a lockdown to contain the surge, but last week tightened restrictions.
Sri Lanka rejects Covid-19 lockdown, will rely on vaccinations and ‘gods’
Wedding and parties have been banned from Tuesday, while state ceremonies and public gatherings are also prohibited until September 1.
Shops, restaurants and officers will have to follow a six-hour nightly curfew from Monday.
In the cabinet reshuffle, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Education Minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris swapped their portfolios.
