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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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by Prasad Gunewardene
The future of thousands of workers in the city of Fort in Colombo had been predicted by this man who stands by the wall of the extension of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Some of these predictions have proved correct while others remain to be proved. His name is Mapalagama Asanga and it sounds youthful.But the man is now 56 years and counts over 35 years in astrology. The walls of the Ports Authority along the Olcott Mawatha is decorated by his astrological graphics and Asanga stands there awaiting clients. Clad in a white trouser,dark brown shirt with white shoes, Asanga keeps calm till clients come to him. I observed his movements from opposite the road to see whether he was chasing behind people to grab their palms to read. It was not so. I crossed the road and introduced myself to ascertain his knowledge and experience in what he was performing in the hot sun. He had started to learn palmistry under monks in the village temple and had enhanced his knowledge by reading books on astrology. As he began to unfold his story, a young attractive middle class woman speaking in English disturbed our conversation. "Excuse me", she said delivering a gift parcel to Asanga claiming his prediction made six months ago had become a reality. Asanga is no stranger to Fort and Pettah. This is his 32nd year in the city reading palms of city workers. "Sir, predictions may go right or wrong depending on the change of stars but I have read palms honestly. Otherwise, I cannot continue for over three decades in this city which comprise all kinds of elements", Asanga pointed out. This bachelor boy Astrologer had read palms of film stars, radio artistes and politicians and had made predictions that had come true. The names disclosed by Asanga are withheld for confidential reasons. There are popular names among those who have sought astrological assistance from him. Asked whether he could earn a living standing in the hot sun awaiting clients, he replied, "why not... there are days I earn four figures as some people who are satisfied give me more". Asanga says that astrology is a sacred profession and the person who reads should be honest by the client. "If your time appears to be bad, it must be told without painting a rosy picture to satisfy you for the money you give me", he said adding that honesty was the criteria to lastlong any profession. He reads an average fifty to sixty palms of city workers and visitors to the city who meet him while walking through the pavement. There are tourists who also seek predictions from him. I asked him why he as destined to read palms by the roadside in the burning sun and Asanga replied, "I can have an office but here you meet a cross section of the people with various palms that also help me to enhance my knowledge". As the discussion was proceeding, a young couple and three youth were seen lined up to have their palms read. It was time up for me to take leave making room for Asanga to earn his bread and butter. |
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