Tillekeratne remains Sri Lanka manager

Colombo: Despite a furore over his appointment, Hashan Tillekeratne will remain Sri Lanka's team manager for the upcoming Test series against India.

Tillekeratne, who led the Sri Lankan team in the early 2000s and played in 86 Test matches, continued to be part of the team's proceedings despite the country's sports minister asking the board to remove him.

Sri Lanka's sports minister Gamini Lokuge had slammed the former captain's appointment as manager as Tillekeratne is also a part of the opposition, the United National Party (UNP).

"We have clear policies according to which Tillekeratne must chose between politics and his role in the team. I have indicated to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that he be removed from the position," Lokuge was quoted as saying by IANS on Friday.

But Tillekeratne said, "I am still the manager and I attended the team practice this morning."

The former left-hand batsman added that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has given full support to his appointment.

"I have been not told anything and I have received the full backing of the cricket board to continue in this capacity. My focus at the moment is on the Test series against India and together with the coaching staff we are getting the players ready for the challenge," he said.

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