Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said he proposed former Minister Basil Rajapaksa's name for presidential candidacy. 

Speaking to media outside the Hulftsdorp courts complex today, Rajapaksa said the media was fabricating stories on growing tensions within his family over presidential candidacy. 

"They are trying to divide us by fabricating baseless stories," Rajapaksa said responding to media queries. 

"It is former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who should make the final decision on the matter, and as far as I know he still has not made a decision," the former Defence Secretary clarified. 

"The people will give the final verdict on the winner at the election."

When asked about speculations on a Caretaker Government, Rajapaksa said the current government "disastrous journey" must be stopped, in some way.

"The opposition's duty is to defeat the current government. But I personally don't know how to do it," Rajapaksa said.