Ranjan accuses government of recognizing bogus doctors

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition lawmaker Ranjan Ramanayake has heavily accused the government of giving recognition to bogus doctors in the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. "The health minister is engaging in occult practices upon the advice of Dr. (Eliyantha) White," the Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian pointed out during a parliamentary debate on Friday. Health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, upon the advice of Dr White, had recently thrown pots of what is believed to be holy water, into rivers to save the country from the pandemic, drawing criticism from opposition parties. "The number of deaths (due to COVID-19) had increased from 20 to 48 after throwing the pot into the river," Ramanayake pointed out. He observed that the number of COVID-19 infections that stood at 10,424 by the end of October had risen to 15,628, nearly two weeks after the ritual had been carried out. "A netball player died after consuming drugs given by the person who advised to do this," the opposition lawmaker recalled citing an incident that had taken place last year.