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Eliyantha White

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Eliyantha Lindsay White (1971[1] – 22 September 2021) was a Sri Lankan shaman who used traditional herbs.

He treated several world leaders and many cricket players.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Despite claiming to have developed a cure for COVID-19, White died of the virus on 22 September 2021, at a private hospital in Colombo.[8][9]

Early life

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Eliyantha White is of British heritage.[10] He appears to have grown up in the town of Kalubowila,[4] Sri Lanka and began his treatments at the age of 12 by treating someone who was suffering from an incurable cancer. He claimed to be able to materialise medicine through spirits of Rishis, which he then used to cure people. He studied traditional medicine in both Sri Lanka and India.[11]

Rise to fame

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Eliyantha White giving medications to Sachin Tendulkar

White initially started treating people at Eeyamporuwa Temple in Madiwela. From here, his popularity rose to a point where he was apparently hounded in the streets and was treating over a thousand patients a day. He was always committed to treating people free of charge.[4]

In March 2010, Eliyantha invited David Beckham to Sri Lanka for treatment of an injury. He claimed to be able to put Beckham back on the field in three days. It is unclear whether Beckham took up this offer.[12]

Controversies

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Some of White's treatments have been the subject of intense controversy.

In May 2011, Upul Tharanga, a Sri Lankan cricketer failed a dope test conducted by ICC and it was rumoured that Tharanga had been treated by White and the medication given by White contained the banned substance, due to which Tharanga failed the dope test. However, Tharanga has not officially confirmed that he was treated by White. But Sri Lankan sports minister confirmed that White treated Tharanga. However Tharanga had been treated by other doctors as well.[citation needed]

On 15 July 2011, the International Cricket Council's Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal decision in the case of Tharanga discussed in some detail the question whether Eliyantha White's medicine may have contained banned substances.[13]

Despite claims that Eliyantha was also the Sri Lankan president's personal physician, this fact was sometimes disputed.[14]

Political status

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In April 2012, during an adjournment debate in Parliament on legal recognition to alternative systems of treatment, members were unanimous in complimenting the physician’s performance. Several opposition parliamentarians praised White for his abilities and requested more security for him. MP A. H. M. Azwer tabled in the House letters of appreciation from many persons including Minister Lakshman Seneviratne and Bandula Gunawardena, Lal Wickrematunge, national cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Tilakaratne Dilshan.[15]

Public figures treated by White

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Although some public figures seem to have had well publicised success with Eliyantha White's treatments, it is unclear whether regular patients enjoy the same.[23] It is said that he has successfully treated thousands of people in the past at Eeyamporuwa temple at Madiwela.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Dr. Eliyantha White, the Miracle Doctor".
  2. ^ "The supernatural treatment that bowled over Lasith Malinga - Sri Lanka". Lankanewspapers.com. 7 September 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  3. ^ "BBCSinhala.com | Sandeshaya | Eliyantha White 'not a registered doctor'". Bbc.co.uk. 12 June 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Sunday Leader Online". Thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  5. ^ "After taking medicine prescribed by Dr. Eliyantha White Lasith Malinga's injury worsens". Lanka Journal. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  6. ^ Lanka, Sri (10 July 2011). "'False' Doctor Eliyantha White is a Lankan reality metaphorizing Rajapaksa rule". Sri Lanka Brief. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  7. ^ Randeep Ramesh, south Asia correspondent (9 February 2009). "Sri Lanka risks becoming next Zimbabwe, widow warns | World news | guardian.co.uk". London: Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2012. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "Sri Lanka shaman dies of COVID after touting 'blessed' water cure". Al Jazeera. 23 September 2021.
  9. ^ JAMILA HUSAIN (22 September 2021). "Eliyantha White succumbs to COVID-19". Daily News. Colombo. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  10. ^ 'Miracle Doctor', Hi! Magazine, 2010, Month and Issue Unknown, Wijeya Newspapers, Sri Lanka.
  11. ^ "Truth about Eliyantha White | Lanka Help Magazine". Magazine.lankahelp.com. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  12. ^ "Spiritual healer: I can get David Beckham fit - ESPN Soccernet". ESPN. 11 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  13. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  14. ^ "'Eliyantha White, not President's personal physician'". Srilankamirror.com. 12 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  15. ^ "The Island". Island.lk. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  16. ^ a b P K Balachandran - COLOMBO (24 June 2012). "Sachin, Bipasha bowled by faith". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  17. ^ "Financial News". Sundayobserver.lk. 4 July 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  18. ^ Gamini Gunaratna, Sri Lanka News Paper by LankaPage.com (LLC)- Latest Hot News from Sri Lanka (22 March 2011). "Sri Lanka : Australian Cricket great Ian Chappell meets Sri Lankan President". Colombopage.com. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  19. ^ "Ian Chappel cured by President's personal physician". NEWS360.lk. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  20. ^ "Spectrum | Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka". Sundayobserver.lk. 6 June 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  21. ^ "Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  22. ^ "The Sunday Leader Online". Thesundayleader.lk. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  23. ^ "Balumgala 2011-12-12 Eliyantha White part 01.flv". YouTube. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
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