Former international Charith Senanayake was appointed Sri Lanka manager ahead of the test cricket series against India starting on Wednesday.
Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge approved the appointment of Senanayake, who played three tests and seven one-day internationals as an opening batsman, Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Shane Fernando said on Tuesday.
Earlier, cricket authorities nominated former captain Hashan Tillakaratne for the job. But Lokuge refused to endorse him on Monday, citing his involvement in politics as rendering him ineligible to accept a paid job in a sports organization.
The first test in the three-match series is at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
