The Government of Ceylon views with grave concern the news that
the Netherlands Government had renewed the 'police action' in
Indonesia and is extremely anxious about the deplorable
consequences this action is likely to have in South-East Asia. The
political developments between the Governments of the Netherlands
and the Indonesian Republic which have led to this precipitate
step in the face of the peaceful solution which the Committee of
Good Offices of the United Nations were exploring are not known to
us fully. But we cannot believe that an amicable settlement was
impossible and the use of force was necessary. Public opinion in
Ceylon will not tolerate the use of the harbour and aerodrome
facilities by ships and planes carrying troops, arms or warlike
materials of any kind which may be used in the reconquest of the
Indonesian Republic. Steps are accordingly being taken to deny
such facilities in Ceylon to the Government of Netherlands.