Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially named former cricketing icon Sanath Jayasuriya as the national team’s new full-time head coach. Jayasuriya, who previously held the role of interim head coach, will now lead the team across all formats, with his appointment effective immediately.
The decision to appoint Jayasuriya on a permanent basis comes after Sri Lanka’s remarkable performances in recent series against heavyweights like India, England, and New Zealand. During his interim stint, the team achieved significant milestones, which convinced the SLC Executive Committee to make the position permanent.
His contributions as interim coach have led to some outstanding results in recent tours – SLC
“Sri Lanka Cricket is pleased to announce the appointment of Sanath Jayasuriya as the head coach of the national team. His contributions as interim coach have led to some outstanding results in recent tours against top cricketing nations,” read the official statement by SLC on their social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “The appointment is effective from October 1, 2024, and will continue until March 31, 2026. #SriLankaCricket #SLC.”
Jayasuriya’s tenure as interim coach saw Sri Lanka notch up notable victories, including a historic ODI series win against India after 27 years, a rare away Test victory against England, and a comprehensive 2-0 Test series win against New Zealand on home soil. These accomplishments have significantly boosted Sri Lanka’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship 2023-25 final.
Known for his aggressive style of play during his career, Jayasuriya aims to create an encouraging environment in the dressing room where players can freely express their thoughts and ideas. His immediate focus will be on the upcoming home series against the West Indies, starting with a three-match T20I series on October 13 in Dambulla, followed by a three-match ODI series.
Jayasuriya’s coaching tenure promises to be an exciting phase for Sri Lankan cricket as they gear up for the T20 World Cup 2026.
