A meeting called by the former Deputy Minister and Upcountry People's Front Politburo head V Radhakrishnan in support of the common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena became tense when party leader Shanthini Chandrasekaran arrived at the meeting and obstructed the proceedings.

This is the latest development in a increasing rift between two factions of the UPF.

The party leader Shanthini Chandrasekaran had called a press conference on Friday (19) and had expressed the support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

However, the UPF had said earlier that it was to support the New Democratic Front candidate Maithripala Sirisena. The party's politburo head V Radhakrishnan had extended his support to the opposition several days ago.

After Chandrasekeran's claim on Friday, several other party leaders had reiterated the party's decision to support Sirisena despite the objection of the leader of the party.