Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that former captain Sanath Jayasuriya will continue as the head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team until the conclusion of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Jayasuriya had been serving in an interim capacity since early July 2024, but following a string of impressive performances by the team under his leadership, SLC has now handed him the role on a full-time basis.
Jayasuriya’s tenure as head coach has been marked by a series of notable successes. Under his guidance, Sri Lanka achieved a historic 2-1 win in a bilateral ODI series against India, their first such victory over the Indian team in 27 years. This was followed by a remarkable Test win over England in their own backyard for the first time in a decade. Most recently, Sri Lanka sealed a 2-0 whitewash against New Zealand in home Tests, a result that has bolstered their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
The decision to appoint Jayasuriya as full-time head coach was made after an evaluation of the team’s performances in recent tours against India, England, and New Zealand. Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee lauded Jayasuriya’s leadership, citing the positive results and his ability to foster a productive environment for the players.
In a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket said, “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, where Jayasuriya was in charge as the ‘interim head coach.'”
This is Jayasuriya’s first major coaching stint. In previous interviews, he has emphasized the importance of creating an environment in which players can operate with freedom, a philosophy that appears to be resonating well with the team. Several players have spoken highly of his approach, commending his ability to bring out the best in them through a balanced blend of encouragement and discipline.
Before his coaching role, Jayasuriya was actively involved in Sri Lankan cricket as a selector. He served two separate terms as the national team’s chief selector but was temporarily banned from involvement in cricket following an ICC anti-corruption investigation. His return to the fold as a coach has been widely welcomed by the cricket community, particularly as Sri Lanka navigates through a period of rebuilding.
Jayasuriya’s first major assignment as full-time coach will be Sri Lanka’s upcoming limited-overs series against the West Indies, set to take place in Dambulla and Pallekele later this month.
