Traditional astrologers in Sri Lanka, supported by the government, are unable to reach a consensus on the optimal date for conducting new year ceremonies. As disagreements arise among the seers, some are cautioning against potential calamities and accusing their opponents of misinterpreting the star alignments.

Astrologers are hugely influential figures consulted by the island’s Buddhist and Hindu communities, and their advice for auspicious dates guides everything from marriages to business deals – and even national elections.

However, the 42 astrologers hired by the cultural affairs ministry of the island could not agree on the ideal date for celebrating the new year, a first for the group.

“I am the spokesperson for the committee in charge of determining the auspicious time for the new year,” stated Ananda Seneviratne. “After extensive discussions and careful consideration, we have agreed upon a auspicious time through a majority vote.”

Most people mark the beginning of the Sinhala and Tamil new year on the evening of April 13th.

However, Roshan Chanaka, a dissenter, declared that the timing was incorrect and would ultimately bring the nation to “disaster”.

He stated that Sri Lanka would experience intense turmoil if the designated times were adhered to, but did not elaborate on the specifics.

Sri Lanka is emerging from its worst economic crisis, which led to months of street protests and forced then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign in July 2022.

The successor of Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to participate in upcoming elections later this year, possibly taking place in September or October.

Around ten years ago, ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to hold an unexpected election in January 2015, following the advice of his personal astrologer. Unfortunately, he was not successful.

An astrologer was apprehended in 2009 for foretelling the removal of Mahinda Rajapaksa as president and the ascension of his prime minister.

Source: theguardian.com