COLOMBO, Feb 1: Cricket may be a game of glorious uncertainties but in Sri Lanka, the astrologers have started predicting the outcome and the winners of the forthcoming World Cup.

According to a prominent astrologer called Bhandara who is based in Mawanella — a remote central town famous for prophecies — “there is a strong possibility to witness a repeat version of the 1996 World Cup's first semi-final this time, but the result this time would be different.”

The astrologer giving his prediction for 2011 event in a local Sinahli language newspaper said a strong star favours Sri Lanka, which lies only second to India.

Bandara has made his predictions on the basis Sri Lanka's horoscope as well as the horoscopes of skipper Kumar Sangakkara and few other important players of the team. The astrologer has also taken into account the exact timings of each match in the World Cup's schedule. Calculations have also been made about the scheduled timings of the start of the game as these timings can be a great contributing factor to luck or bad luck of the participating teams.

Most of the predictions made by the astrologer are not really shocking but he maintains that there can be some surprises, particularly in Group 'B', where South Africa has been declared as one of the most unlucky teams. According to Bandara's prediction there is a chance that Graeme Smith's men suffer a loss at the hands of either Ireland or Bangladesh in the group stages.

The prominent astrologer maintains that this is the strongest and luckiest period for the Sri Lankan team and only India among the cricket playing outfits is having better luck in the start timings of their group matches.

Bandara has also assumed that Indian cricket authorities have consulted their own astrologers while deciding match schedule in the World Cup. According to his prediction, it is highly likely Sri Lanka will face India in the semi-final where India will have an upper hand.

It must be mentioned here that the strologers and soothsayers play a major role in the cultural and religious life of the Sri Lankans. According to reports, the astrologers had accurately predicted the 2004 Tsunami and the end of civil war in Sri Lanka during the past.