The federal government reacted angrily after hundreds of protesting Sri Lankans vandalized the Canadian High Commission in Colombo yesterday, accusing Ottawa of supporting Tamil Tigers.

The demonstrators pelted the mission with stones, sprayed graffiti on the wall and painted over a security camera.

Canadian officials denounced the "organized and targeted attack" as "reprehensible."

"Canada has expressed concern about the inadequate response by the Sri Lankan police to protect High Commission staff and the premises and has registered an official complaint with the government of Sri Lanka," a foreign affairs official said in Ottawa.

The protest came a week after Sri Lanka declared victory in its quarter-century war with the Tigers.

In a separate statement, Daya Perera, Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Canada, attempting to pacify the situation, said the Canadian government has been supportive of efforts to combat terrorism and has taken measures to ban the Tamil Tigers and stifle fundraising activities. He also reminded the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in Ottawa and Toronto were provided with security during recent demonstrations by Tamil protestors and "ensured there no incidents."