Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties at the Opposition Leader's Office this morning. 

Rajapaksa was appointed the Opposition Leader in Parliament, in December, after Ranil Wickremesinghe took oaths as the Prime Minister. 

A group of UPFA MPs also attended the brief event that marked Rajapaksa's assumption of duties at the Opposition Leader's Office this morning. 

Speaking to the media after the event, Rajapaksa said, "Finally, after nearly 4 years, we have an Opposition Leader to look into the matters of the entire country, not limited to a certain area"

"The doors of the Opposition Leader's office will be open to everyone in the country from now inwards," Rajapaksa said. 

This is Rajapaksa's second stint as the Opposition Leader of the country. 

He also served as the Opposition Leader during the period between April 2004 and November 2005.