Sri Lanka will challenge a British Government travel advisory warning Britons over an upsurge of nationalism, sexual offences and anti-western rhetoric.

External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama said they were treating the matter with utmost seriousness owing to the tone and timing of the advisory.

The British Foreign Office stressed that ‘violent crimes against foreigners are relatively infrequent but at the same time advised Britons to make arrangements with reputable travel firms when moving around in the country.

The Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry stressed that Sri Lanka intends to seek changes to this advisory and the matter will be taken up with the British High Commission.

He said Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Chris Nonis had also been instructed to discuss the issue with British authorities.