Sri Lanka: Minister falls ill with Corona - despite consumption of alleged god potion

Thousands of people in Sri Lanka have drunk an alleged miracle drug that is said to protect against corona.

But meanwhile a minister who had taken the drink like other high-ranking politicians had to go to the hospital.

Piyal Nishantha de Silva, who is responsible for women, child development and education on the island nation, wrote on Facebook that he had Corona.

The drink was brewed by an influential so-called holy man who claimed he had received the recipe for it from the Hindu goddess of destruction, Kali.

The drink contains honey, nutmeg, coriander and other herbs and was available for the equivalent of a good eleven euros (2500 rupees) a bottle.

Herbal remedies are widespread in Sri Lanka and at least 15,000 people showed up at the man's home on four sales days in December, a local official said.

Health Minister also drank "miracle drug"

Local media reported that the businessman had also sold his "miracle drug" to companies and temples.

He also gave politicians and ministers a taste.

Even Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi made use of this - although her own ministry had not approved the drink as a medicinal product.

For this they criticized opposition members of parliament for spreading false hope and encouraging people to go en masse to the holy man.

Sri Lanka recently announced that it would allow tourists back into the country from January 21st.

The island nation in the Indian Ocean has recorded comparatively few cases (53,750) since the start of the pandemic.

In total, the authorities registered 270 deaths linked to the virus.

However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher.

The country is heavily dependent on tourism.

There is no quarantine requirement for travelers, but they must be able to show a negative corona test.

No tourists were allowed to enter the country for nine months.

Icon: The mirror

bam / dpa