Former Defence Secretary Gotahaya Rajapaksa confirmed that the letter circulating on social media claiming that he has renounced his US citizenship is fake.

The letter in question is a purported document released by the US authorities confirming that the former Defence Secretary has renounced his US citizenship.

However, the former Defence Secretary previously confirmed that his has submitted the paperwork to renounce the US citizenship. He has also made it clear that he will run for the Presidency as the candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP).

The SLPP is expected to name its Presidentia candidate on August 11 at the party's national convention in Colombo.