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Exorcising culture, exorcising traditions 

04 Mar 2021

Sri Lanka’s authorities recently stated that they were planning to take stern action against the practice of exorcism after a nine-year-old girl died as a result of being hit with a cane during a ritual performed in a bid to drive away an alleged evil spirit that had possessed her. In the said incident, according to local media, the mother of the girl had taken the girl to a woman who performed the ritual, where the girl was beaten. The mother and the woman in question have since been arrested and remanded.  Even though this is not the first or the only incident of this nature, it sparked a discussion about the place traditions and customs have in Sri Lankans’ lives, especially concerning the country’s next generation’s future.  This incident points towards a multitude of issues, the most noticeable being the violation of child rights and the people’s tendency to follow traditional practices uncritically.  On the one hand, it is human nature to pursue every possible avenue when they are in need of help, and when nothing helps, they tend to seek relief from anyone that claims to extend a helping hand. On the other hand, in Sri Lanka, parents always have a sense of ownership when it comes to their children and therefore children’s consent and individual expression is significantly subdued by what parents believe is right.  In Sri Lanka, the general understanding of tradition is something that already exists, rather than something that is constantly evolving and developing. Similar to many South Asian countries, Sri Lanka’s society is built on and shaped by its traditions and customs, and regardless of nature, every tradition including practices amounting to exorcism have been assigned a value, even when they are no longer acceptable or applicable.  Traditional practices that amount to acts of exorcism cannot be considered solitary social issues; some of these practices have been a part of Sri Lanka’s culture for centuries, and in some cases, a staple. Also, some of these practices are deeply attached to mainstream religious and ethnic values, and are therefore inseparable.  One of the signs of a progressive society is it being insightful enough to realise what resonates with their lives and interests and what does not, and getting rid of what is not good for them. It is true that the future is built on the present and the past, but, the more one clings to their past, the harder it is to build a future better than the past. But, as American philosopher George Santayana notes, those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.  The solution to some issues is not a clear-cut one. Sometimes, we have to evaluate the situation not with the purpose of finding long-term answers but of preventing further harm. When it comes to the issue of archaic traditions and practices amounting to exorcism, a simple, direct acceptance or ban is not going to help. Sri Lanka has to identify how much is too much, how much is too little, and decide where to draw the line. This line is what will make sure that the generations to come are able to live in accordance with their traditional values, while still progressing as a new generation.  The death of the said nine-year-old girl is merely one incident, and Sri Lanka has witnessed similar incidents in the past. Perhaps it is high time for Sri Lanka to decide the extent to which it will allow traditions and practices to affect it, and whether it is acceptable to pass such traditions and practices on to their offspring.  The mother of the child and the self-proclaimed exorcist have been arrested and remanded, and legal actions are in progress. But, in order to put behind the bars the addiction to tradition, more steps need to be taken.

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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


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