Former Sri Lankan defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is ready to contest the presidential elections after renouncing his American citizenship, his brother Basil Rajapaksa said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, Basil said former president Mahinda Rajapaksa will take over the leadership of the newly formed Sri Lanka People's Party on August 11.
"He (Mahinda) will then announce our candidate," Basil said.
On Gotabhaya, Basil said, "He has given up his US citizenship."
Seventy-year-old Gotabhaya, who held dual US-Sri Lankan citizenship, had spearheaded a successful military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during Mahinda Rajapaksa's term as president.
Following the LTTE's military defeat, the Rajapaksa brothers gained cult status among the Sinhalese people.
Under the nineteenth amendment to the Lankan Constitution (19-A), Gotabhaya could not become an elector due to his US citizenship.
Two weeks ago, Gotabhaya claimed he had successfully renounced his US citizenship.
Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot contest a third time due to a time bar for the presidency which was introduced through 19A of the Constitution.
In Mahinda's absence, Gotabhaya is seen as the most suitable candidate to carry forward the Rajapaksa legacy.
However, Gotabhaya has been embroiled in several court cases for corruption and excesses as a top bureaucrat in the ministry of defense.
The presidential election in Sri Lanka will be held before December 8 this year.
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