Marapone organised a ritual at his tightly-guarded Colombo home last week to exorcise evil spirits, the sources said.

Unconfirmed reports said that he had also got into a sack full of gingelly seeds as advised by sorcerers to allegedly strengthen his aura and guard him from evil influences.

There was no immediate word from the minister's office.

Press reports here said that the minister had taken part in the ritual amid fears that planetary positions was unfavourable to several ministers in the cohabitation government.

Sri Lankan leaders are known to consult astrologers and turn to black magic to ensure they remain in office.

Political sources said there was stepped up astrological activity following reports that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was set to reshuffle the cabinet and drop several senior members.

SPACE.WIRE