At least five persons were injured due to gunshot firing when a tense situation reported in Matara following a clash broke out between two UNP groups, of one supporting the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the other opposing it.
Police Spokesman SSP Buddika Siriwardena said the clash was reported around 11.30am when over 400 persons backing both groups collided with each other near the Matara Municipal Council.
Several firing shots were heard shortly after and five persons were found injured due to shooting. They were admitted to Matara Hospital.
A protest march demanding Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down from the leadership lead by UNP Provincial Councillors Maithri Gunaratne and Shiral Lakthilaka was heading towards Colombo from Devinuwara was met by a march organised by MP Mangala Samaraweera supporting the UNP leader.
The situation has been brought under control with the intervention of the police by now. The supporting group had reportedly left the scene whereas the opposing group is still remaining in the town.