COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, on a protest fast against President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s plan to enter a tsunami relief deal with Tamil Tigers, on Saturday gave up his fast after the president reportedly gave a positive assurance, reports Xinhua. Omalpe Sobhitha, a parliamentarian from the Heritage Party, was admitted to a hospital after six days of fasting. A monk called on him to convey the president’s assurances were acceptable to monks. — HNS