People cook Pongal during the festival of Thai Pongal in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Jan. 14, 2021. People celebrate Thai Pongal during the harvest season to thank the sun for giving them a good harvest.Photo:Xinhua

A self-styled Sri Lankan holy man's supposed miracle potion to prevent COVID-19 turned sour after a minister who publicly drank it was hospitalized with the virus.

Thousands defied public gathering restrictions to swamp a village in central Sri Lanka in December to get the syrup.

Women and Child Development Minister was among several politicians who consumed the concoction, but officials said he had since tested positive for coronavirus.

Family members of another politician had also been infected despite taking the syrup.

Pro-government media gave widespread publicity to the holy man, who claimed the formula was revealed to him by a Hindu goddess of death.

The only ingredients he acknowledged were honey and nutmeg.

AFP