Sri Lanka minister who drank sorcerer’s anti-Covid potion tests positive

Sri Lankan health officials attend a mock Covid-19 vaccination drive-in Piliyandala, Sri Lanka (Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

Sri Lanka’s health minister, who has faced criticism for consuming and endorsing a herbal syrup made by a sorcerer, has tested positive for Covid-19.

A Health Ministry official confirmed on Saturday that Pavithra Wanniarachchi is the highest-ranking official to be infected with the virus. She and her immediate contacts have been asked to self-quarantine.