Kattadiya in sexual abuse case remanded

PRIYADARSHANI KAHAWALA, Ingiriya central group corr

An exorcist who allegedly sexually abused a 60-year-old woman and her 30-year-old daughter-in-law and assaulted her son, was ordered to be remanded until January 1 by Kalutara Chief Magistrate Aruna Aluthge.

The exorcist is a resident of Ratnayakapura, Nikawaratiya.

Three others who allegedly assisted the exorcist to rape the women,were ordered to be released

on a Rs 25,000 personal bond. The suspects are residents of Kalutara North, Galpatha.The exorcist had gone to a house in Galapatha to conduct a ritual on the 60-year-old woman to drive away a mala prethaya. He had allegedly abused the women after the ritual, the Police said.

The exorcist charged Rs 184,000 for the ritual in addition to Rs 100,000 for the goods used in the pooja, the Police said. The woman had also bought 100 coconuts, 100 king coconuts and 100 lemons for the pooja.

The two women and the man were produced before the Kalutara Judicial Medical Officer on Tuesday.