COLOMBO: The Government of Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike ordered army and naval units to move to Tamil areas in north and east to take every possible step to restore to normal the administration and essential services there which have been paralysed by protests organised by the Tamil Federal Party.

Although several political parties and members of parliament have protested against the use of army and navy to break the movement, the ruling party in parliament expressed confidence in the steps taken by the Government to handle the situation.

Political observers are speculating about the departure of Sirima Bandaranaike to Commonwealth talks in view of the deteriorating situation in the country. The Government is willing to settle the language problem at a round-table conference, stating that no negotiations are possible under threats of any kind.

The Government-nominated member, Mr Thondaman, asked the Government yesterday whether it was tying to bring back normalcy by civilised or Congo-type methods. All Tamil members of parliament have sent telegrams to the prime minister, protesting against the use of armed forces against Tamils.

The Tamil Federal Party has, however, decided to intensify the protest movement and to extend the civil disobedience movement to other areas. Yesterday was the 11th day of protests.

Dr Martin Perera, leader of the Lankasama Samaja Party, raised in parliament the question of the Government using army and navy against the protesters. He said in an emotional speech that the Government could not solve the language problem by resorting to force.

Atomic reactor for Islamabad

KARACHI: The Minister for Fuel, Power and Natural Resources, Mr Z.A. Bhutto, last night announced that the Government had decided to install an atomic reactor in the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology to be established near Islamabad.

In a broadcast to the nation, the Minister said: “We are determined not to be left behind in the atomic race. As a nation of 90 million occupying such a strategic place in Asia, we cannot afford to. I assure you that the revolutionary regime will do everything in its power to harness atomic energy for peaceful purposes — imperative as it is to the country’s progress and security.”