Sri Lanka officers have arrested two people in connection with the death of a 9-year-old girl who was repeatedly beaten during a ritual they believed would drive away from an evil spirit.

The two suspects the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother was to appear in court Monday to hear charges over the girl's death, which occurred over the weekend in Delgoda, northeast of the capital Colombo.

The girl's parents had taken her to the woman in the village and began exorcist so a ritual could be performed to drive the spirit away.," The child had collapsed after the severe beating she received. She was found dead on admission to hospital," Rohana said.

Officers are investigating whether anyone else had been abused.