A girl in Delgoda, in the Gampaha District, has died during a black magic ritual performed by a female sorcerer, the police said.

They added that the eight year old child had been flogged as part of the ritual and was later admitted to the hospital. The mother of the child had taken her to the sorcerer on the belief that the girl had been "possessed" by an evil spirit.

The deceased has been identified as Rifka Fathima. She had been taken to the sorcerer on February 27 to "salvage" her from the spirit.

Both the mother and the sorcerer have been arrested by the police and further police investigations are underway.