Speaker was influenced - UPFA representatives

Colombo (News 1st) - Vidura Wickramanayake at a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office today (November 21) said that the economy has fallen back and that they won't deny that. He then stated that on their side they are ready for anything that is done legally. Adding further he noted that the rules and regulations of the parliamentary tradition are being safeguarded by the standing orders and that if the general rules are applied during those 2 to 3 days, there was an unlawful assembly. All 224 of them and the speaker should be taken to jail when observing the circumstances that took place he said. He further states that a few standing orders could be removed and the proceedings can continue, but questions as to how can parliament function after putting aside the entire standing order system? W. D. J. Senewiratne another representative of the UPFA stated that when the interim order was given, the speaker who was conducting the parliamentary sessions changed his attitude. He stated that it is not known how or who influenced him. Senewiratne further notes that the speaker had previously told them that he will support them. He adds that the UPFA didn't have a problem with the speaker then and that they asked him to stay and funcion as the speaker. Senewiratne stated that after the decision of him remaining as the speaker someone influenced him and changed his mind.