Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who took oaths as the Prime Minister last Friday, today assumed duties as the Finance Minister of the country.  

Speaking following the assumption of his duties, Rajapaksa said the country's economy had suffered under the previous government and promised redress. 

He also said the very people talking about democracy today were the ones who had delayed Provincial Council elections, paving way for an autocratic system of administration in the provinces. 

Commenting on President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to prorogue Parliament the former President said that even he had prorogued Parliament. "Even President Premadasa prorogued Parliament, although his son does not remember that now," he said, accusing the UNP of acting like it was an unprecedented move. 

He also said the current fuel price structure, introduced by former Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, would be removed.