Colombo

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country following protests over the economic crisis in the island nation, will return to Sri Lanka on August 24.

Rajapaksa's cousin Udayanga Weeratunga, who appeared before an investigation into the procurement of MiG aircraft during the civil war against Tamil rebels, said that the former President would return to the country.

Gotabaya was the powerful Defence Secretary during the last stages of war.

"Gotabaya should return to the country and people will welcome him but he would not continue in politics as he is not suitable," Weeratunga, who was critical of the role of Gotabaya as a President, told mediapersons on Wednesday.

After protesters stormed President's house and office on July 9, Gotabaya went into hiding and later fled to the Maldives and then to the Singapore. On a request of Sri Lankan government, Gotabaya entered Thailand last week.

The Thailand government denied reports that the Sri Lankan ex-president had sought asylum there.

ALSO READ: Sri Lankan president: China cannot use southern port for military purposes

The Thailand Foreign Ministry said it received a request from Rajapaksa to visit the country with no intention of seeking political asylum.