Fast unto death against Tsunami Joint Mechanism

Venerable Omalpe Sobitha had refused food and water since Monday in protest at President Chandrika Kumaratunga's plans for aid sharing with the Tigers.

Reporters in Kandy say that Sobitha thero has been admitted to a private hospital in Kandy.

Meanwhile Venerable Dambara Amila who is fasting near the Pettha Railway Station in Colombo said that he will be fasting unto death if the president did not pull out from the joint mechanisam deal.

Rev. Amila is President of the Jathika Bikshu permuna. Before beginning the fast the monk accused President Chandrika Kumaratunga for her stubbornness and not heeding to Maha Sanga.

He added that mahanayakas and the clergy have been deceived by the president

The Venerable Udugama Buddharakitha Mahanayaka thero of the Asgiriya Chapter who met the president said that after talks he felt that there is no need for protest.

Speaking to Sandeshaya the chief priest said “Disorderly protest is no help to any one. Any protest has to be made only after studying the facts carefully”

Ellaborating on the discussions held with the president the chief prelate said that the joint mechanism is primarily a rehabilitation process limited for a one year period.

Earlier the Mahanayakas had warned the president that if she did not pullout from the joint mechanism that there may be a need for mass protest.