Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa will fly to the US early next month, sources close to him said.

During the visit, Rajapaksa is expected to meet the US authorities and discuss his application to renounce his US citizenship.

A source close to Rajapaksa expressed optimism that the former Defence Secretary would be able to complete the process within the next two months. 

If Rajapaksa manages to renounce his US citizenship before the announcement of the Presidential election, he will be eligible to run for the presidency from the SLPP-led alliance.

The former Defence Secretary has submitted an application to renounce his US citizenship to the US Embassy in Colombo. The application is currently under review by the US government. 

Multiple reports indicated last week that Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa had decided to field his younger brother, the former Defence Secretary, as a candidate at the next Presidential election.