Sri Lankan police arrested an astrologer after he predicted serious political and economic problems for the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse.
Chandrasiri Bandara, who writes an astrology column for a pro-opposition weekly, was taken in on Thursday June 25, police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said.
"The CID (Criminal Investigations Department) is questioning the astrologer," Gunasekara said, adding that they wanted to find out the "basis" for the prediction.
The astrologer had predicted that a planetary change on October 8 will be inauspicious for parliament and the government may not be able to arrest rising living costs -- a prediction already made by private economists.
Sri Lankan politicians take astrology seriously and most have their own personal seers who decide the auspicious times to launch any new programme or work.
Rajapaksa’s popularity has soared, with some supporters hailing him as a modern-day king, since the army defeated the Tamil Tigers last month, bringing an end to a 26-year civil war.
Politicians in his ruling party have gone so far as to propose giving him a second six-year term without holding an election — or perhaps changing the constitution to make him President for life.
The opposition United National Party condemned Bandara's arrest and accused the government of heading towards a dictatorship.
“The crime committed by Bandara is not making predictions favourable to the Government,” the party said in a statement.
