UK's Sun Newspaper Uses Photograph Of Lyricist Dhammika Bandara In Story About Witch Doctor "Dhammika Bandara"

December 20, 2020

The Sun newspaper of the United Kingdom has published a photograph of the lyricist Dhammika Bandara, instead of the photograph of witch doctor Dhammika Bandara, in a story relating to Sri Lanka's controversial local cure for COVID19.

The story refers to the mayhem which occurred in Kegalle last week as thousands flocked near the house of the witch doctor to obtain sampels of his "miraculous" medicine. This took place after Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, flanked by a number of other ruling party members and senior officials, took a sip of this medicine.

However, the drama surrounding the witch doctor saw an unexpected end when he behaved in an unruly manner in Anuradhapura, one of the most sacred religious rites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

The witch doctor, who visited Anuradhapura to offer his "miraculous medicine" to the Sri Maha Bodhi, said he was the Godess Kali and went on to identify himself as the mother of the chief incumbent of the Atamasthanaya.

The Sun newspaper, however, has used a photograph of the wrong "Dhammika Bandara" while reporting this story. Dhammika Bandara the lyricist, who is also a well-known tacher in Sri Lanka, has penned a number of popular Sinhala songs.