Sri Lanka astrologer arrested
for predicting President Rajapaksa's ejection from office
BBC, 26 June
2009
The authorities in Sri Lanka have arrested a popular astrologer who predicted
that the president will be ejected from office, police say.
The astrologer Chandrasiri Bandara announced last week that the government would
flounder in September and October because of political and economic problems.
The opposition have condemned the arrest and warned that the country is heading
towards a dictatorship.
Astrology is taken seriously by numerous Sri Lankan politicians.
Inauspicious
Police told the AP news agency that Mr Bandara told an opposition meeting that
the prime minister would take over as president on 9 September and the
opposition leader would become prime minister.
He was arrested on Wednesday night to investigate the basis of his prediction,
police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera said.
Mr Bandara made his forecast despite the president's high approval ratings
following the defeat of Tamil Tigers rebels in May, bringing an end to nearly 26
years of civil war.
"The CID (Criminal Investigations Department) is questioning the astrologer," Mr
Gunasekara said.
President Rajapaksa takes astrological predictions seriously
The astrologer predicted that a planetary change on 8 October will be
inauspicious for parliament and the government may not be able to contain rising
living costs - a forecast which correspondents say has already been made by
private economists.
"The crime which Chandrasiri Bandara committed was publishing an astrological
column which was adverse to the government," said opposition United National
Party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake.
So convinced are Sri Lankan politicians over the accuracy of astrology that many
have their own personal seers who decide the auspicious times to launch any new
initiative.
President Rajapaksa has declared himself to be a believer, telling foreign
reporters earlier this year that he has often consulted a favoured astrologer
for advice on what time to make speeches or to depart for trips.
Mr Bandara - who has a weekly television show and writes controversial political
columns for a pro-opposition newspaper - is one of the most popular astrologers
in the country.
Media rights groups have complained of continued efforts by the government to
stifle freedom of speech despite the end of the war.
On Wednesday the main media organisations in the country urged the government
not to re-establish a body that can fine and imprison print journalists.
According to Amnesty International, at least 14 journalists and staff at news
outlets have been killed by suspected government paramilitaries and rebels since
the beginning of 2006. |
