Spiritual healing program in Horowpothana ends with two people dead, 18 hospitalized

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Two people died and 18 others were hospitalized during a program that was said to heal the sick, conducted at the grounds of the Horowpathana Ruwanwella Madya Maha Vidyalaya today (September 8). According to the police the people had died as they were excessively exposed to extreme heat.  This program said to heal the sick with spiritual powers was scheduled to be conducted overnight until this morning (September 8). Many people suffering from various diseases had attended this program from across the island. The attendees were informed of the program via social media. However, during the program, 20 patients whose conditions were aggravated by the extreme heat were admitted to the Horowpathana regional hospital. Sources said that two of the patients whose condition was aggravated during the program had already passed away when they were admitted to the hospital. The deceased are 38 and 80-year-old residents of Kalutara and Galle. Nine of the 18 patients in critical condition who were admitted to the Horowpathana Hospital were transferred to the Anuradhapura hospital for further treatment. Commenting on the incident, the Director of the Anuradhapura Teaching hospital, DR W. M. Palitha Bandara said that when such an incident takes place that they will seek the advice of the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) and conduct a post-mortem examination. He further says that the reason behind the deaths and the hospitalized people was because certain individuals were already suffering from cancer and kidney ailments and were yet kept exposed to the sun rays. He says that due to this, that they will find out details about the matter through their investigative unit and the JMO Dr Palitha Bandara adds that they would like to create awareness among the public to not go for these sort of programs which has no scientific basis and instead to consult a doctor for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara says that a statement has been recorded by the person said to have conducted the program while an investigation has also been launched by the assistant superintendent of police. He added that legal action on the death of these two people will be taken based on the post-mortem reports.