Colombo, Oct. 9: A new Ceylon Transport bus bearing the Sinhalese symbol “Sri” was burned down in Jaffna in the Tamil-speaking northern province last week on the eve of the bus being put into operation, according to an official statement here today. The Tamil-Sinhalese symbol “Sri” on motor vehicles along with registration numbers.

In the Tamil areas the Sinhalese symbols were tarred out and were replaced by the Tamil equivalent. It provoked counter demonstrations against the use of Tamil in public places in the Sinhalese areas leading to widespread disturbances. Last week’s was the first incident to be reported after the recent relaxation of emergency regulations in the Tamil areas and the release of the leaders of the prescribed Federal Party.

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Prime Minister, Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, today instructed her High Commissioner in India, Sir Richard Aluwihare, to pursue his talks at the official level with the Indian authorities for a settlement of the problems of India-origin residents in the island.