Former cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya named Sri Lanka’s head coach

Jayasuriya takes on the role permanently after overseeing the men’s national team’s recent Test and one-day series wins.

Sri Lanka’s cricket board has named Sanath Jayasuriya as the national men’s team’s head coach until the end of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The former captain’s appointment was confirmed on Monday, nearly four months after he took up the role temporarily from Chris Silverwood, who quit following the country’s early exit from the T20 World Cup.

The 55-year-old led Sri Lanka to a 2-0 home Test series win over New Zealand in September. He was also in charge when Sri Lanka beat England in an away Test match for the first time in 10 years last month.

“The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket made this decision, taking into consideration the team’s good performances in the recent tours against India, England, and New Zealand,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced in a statement.

“The appointment came into effect on October 1, 2024, and will remain until March 31, 2026,” the SLC said.

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Sanath Jayasuriya as the head coach of the national team.

The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket made this decision taking into consideration the team’s good performances in the recent tours against India, England,… pic.twitter.com/IkvAIJgqio

— Sri Lanka Cricket