Questions have surfaced over the selection of Sri Lanka’s squads for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, after contradictory statements from the country’s former and newly-appointed cricket selection committees sparked fresh controversy.

The dispute centres on who was responsible for finalising the squads for the Test, One Day International and Twenty20 series in the Caribbean.

Newly-appointed selection committee chairman Kapila Wijegunawardene has reportedly maintained that the touring squads were chosen entirely by the previous panel headed by Pramodya Wickramasinghe, insisting that the current committee had no involvement in the process.

Speaking to The Morning Sports, Wijegunawardene stated that his committee only officially assumed duties on May 22 and therefore could not have influenced the selections.
According to him, all squads for the West Indies tour had already been finalised before the new panel took office.

However, former chief selector Wickramasinghe has strongly challenged that account, claiming the new committee altered the squads initially prepared by his panel.

Wickramasinghe alleged that his committee had selected separate squads for each format of the tour, but said the incoming selectors later expanded the player groups and introduced several changes.

Among the disputed decisions, he claimed that the vice-captain originally chosen for the ODI side had subsequently been replaced.

The former selector also raised concerns over certain players included in the final squads, while alleging that external influence from player managers had once again entered Sri Lanka’s national selection process following the appointment of the new committee.

Sri Lanka Under-18 team produced a sensational performance to outclass Bangladesh 132-38 in their opening game of the FIBA Asia Cup Basketball Qualifiers worked off at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.

The hosts dominated proceedings from the opening whistle and never allowed Bangladesh any opportunity to settle into the contest. Displaying excellent teamwork, sharp passing and clinical finishing, Sri Lanka completely controlled the game in both attack and defence.

Sri Lanka raced to an early lead with their aggressive style of play and maintained the momentum throughout all four quarters. Their fast breaks and accurate shooting proved too much for the visitors, who struggled to cope with the intensity of the home side.

The Lankan cagers were impressive in defence as well, forcing numerous turnovers and converting them into valuable points. Bangladesh found it difficult to penetrate Sri Lanka’s solid defence and managed only 38 points by the final buzzer.

The emphatic victory gives Sri Lanka a perfect start to the tournament and boosts their confidence ahead of their next encounter.

Sri Lanka will take on Maldives in their second fixture of the tournament at 7.00 p.m. today at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced the national squads for the upcoming multi-format tour of the West Indies, with selectors blending experienced campaigners and emerging talent across the Test, ODI and T20I squads.

The tour, which begins later this month, will feature white-ball and red-ball cricket, with the ODI series scheduled first before the teams move into the T20I and Test contests. The Sri Lankan squad is set to depart tomorrow, May 26, for what is expected to be a challenging overseas assignment in Caribbean conditions.

Senior batter Pathum Nissanka has been included in all three squads alongside wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, underlining their importance to Sri Lanka’s plans across formats.

In Test cricket, Dhananjaya de Silva will continue to lead the side, while Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain. The squad also includes experienced names such as Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya and fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.

Selectors have also rewarded several emerging players, with Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha and Isitha Wijesundara earning places in the Test squad as Sri Lanka looks to build depth ahead of future international commitments.

For the ODI and T20I squads, Kusal Mendis has been entrusted with captaincy duties, while Kamindu Mendis will serve as deputy in both formats. The inclusion of power hitters such as Dasun Shanaka and explosive opener Lasith Croospulle signals Sri Lanka’s intention to adopt an aggressive approach in limited-overs cricket.

Spin will once again be spearheaded by Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, while the pace attack features Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Binura Fernando.

The tour is expected to provide Sri Lanka with a crucial opportunity to test combinations in unfamiliar conditions against a traditionally strong Caribbean outfit. With several senior players returning alongside promising youngsters, selectors appear focused on balancing immediate success with long-term squad development.

Test Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara.

ODI Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan.

T20I Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (Captain), Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.