By The public has been urged to inform the police, through hotlines 118 and 119, about any religious cults that manipulate or coerce people into adopting specific faiths that may pose a threat to their lives.
SSP Ruwan Gunasekara said that, while the police cannot legally intervene to dictate religious beliefs, they do have the authority to step in, if such incidents lead to loss of life and take necessary action within the framework of the law.
Sri Lanka Police have warned relatives of individuals who attended religious teachings through sermons by Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratne to be vigilant of self-harm.
The warning comes after seven incidents of suicide, and another latest attempt at suicide has been reported across Sri Lanka related to the said religious preaching.
In the latest turn of the suicidal wave within a few days, another follower of the deceased religious teacher tried to commit suicide in a failed attempt on Wednesday (03) by drinking poison in the same manner as the previous seven.
Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the young man who tried to take his own life was identified as a 27-year-old married businessman who is a resident of Siripura in Polonnaruwa.
After the failed attempt to take his life, the man was rushed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. Police investigations have revealed that he has been addicted to the deceased religious preacher’s extremist teachings and sermons and has been following them as a close disciple for nearly eight years.
