Sri Lanka's president has demoted the health minister who publicly endorsed sorcery and magic potions to battle Covid-19, as coronavirus infections and deaths hit record highs, reports AFP.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office has said Pavithra Wanniarachchi's health portfolio has been given to Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is also the government spokesperson.

Wanniarachchi was in intensive care in January after contracting the virus despite publicly consuming and endorsing a “magic potion” against Covid-19 made by a sorcerer.

She also poured a pot of “blessed” water into a river in November after a self-styled god-man told her that it would end the pandemic in the island nation of 21 million people.

Despite the demotion, she will remain in the cabinet — the president has given her the less important transport ministry.