Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday placed his signature of a newly minted Rs. 5000 note making it the first time to do so since he assumed the role of Finance Minister.

Minister Samaraweera was presented a framed picture of the note by De La Rue CEO Martin Sutherland, Mark Filer and Nadeesha Epasinghe.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the second Finance Minister of the national unity government, was appointed to the position during the Cabinet reshuffle of May 22.