Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe this morning defended himself against accusations brought by members of his own United National Party (UNP) who were agitating for a no-confidence motion against him.

Rajapakshe assured party members he would not work to reverse the Hambantota Port agreement and said he ‘could do nothing’ to speed up the legal processes initiated against top members of the previous government.

At least 70 members of the UNP had reportedly aligned themselves against the Justice and Buddhasasana Minister after he made a comment to a weekend newspaper saying he would regain the Hambantota port that was leased for 99-years to China.

Rajapakshe has also been blamed for delays in prosecuting top members of the previous government. Several investigations have been begun against top members of the previous regime but have seen little progress.

The UNP is set to decide on if a no-confidence motion will be brought against the Justice and Buddhasasana Minister although the party's stance remains noncommittal.