Effigy of David Miliband burnt on streets of Sri Lankan capital

The demonstration has triggered a furious response from Britain, which rebuked the Sri Lankan authorities for allowing it to turn violent.

More than 1,000 people pelted the compound with rotten eggs and stones and sprayed graffiti. They carried placards with slogans reading, “Hands off Sri Lanka, we are not your colony”, and describing Mr Miliband as a “White Tiger”.

After about an hour, the protesters dispersed, leaving damage to the compound’s outer wall and a CCTV camera, although no members of staff were injured.

The protests came amid scenes of jubilation in the city, as the Sri Lankan government declared victory over the rebels and the end of combat operations in the country's 26-year-long civil war.

A High Commission spokesman said: “It is an outrage that the authorities allowed this demonstration to become so violent and to cause such damage to our property, in clear contravention of their responsibilities.”