By Ajith Siriwardane

Refuting allegations of faulty auspicious times during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the State Astrologers’ Committee justified the designation of auspicious times for performing Sinhala New Year rituals at night, claiming that they wanted the most suitable time for the rituals despite practical difficulties.
Committee member astrologer G.M. Gunapala told a news conference at the Government Information Department that the sun’s transit occurs at 9.05 pm on April 13 and that the New Year rituals must be designated during the auspicious time within six hours and twenty-four minutes from 9.05 pm when the sun’s transit occurs.
“We admit the practical issues in observing New Year rituals at night. But, the State Astrologers’ Committee wanted to designate best time for rituals more than practical difficulties in observing the rituals,” he said.
Committee member Astrologer Ananda Seneviratne said auspicious times in this manner come once every four years and requested the people to follow the designated times.