Kaluperuma on Sanath's omission for Test Series

1. Selection of Sanath Jayasuriya for the One-Day series in India.

2. Non inclusion of Sanath Jayasuriya for the Test series in India.

With regard to the first issue, I wish to inform you that Sanath was selected for the One-Day series as he was fully fit and the Selectors had not received any report with regard to his fitness by the team 'physio' or the team management. The One-Day squad was selected on 11.10.05.

On the day of the departure of the team to India I read in the newspapers that Sanath had met with a minor accident whilst he was engaged in water sports at Bentota just prior to the departure of the team to India. I personally discussed this matter with the coach and physio and they did not show any seriousness about his condition.

As I was officially not informed of this accident by the team management I presumed it was not serious and the team departed to India along with Sanath. Subsequently, I was informed by the Selector on Tour, Don Arunasiri that injury of Sanath had aggravated while batting in the practice match prior to commencement of One-Day series. In fact he was recalled to the pavillion for treatment and did not take any further part in the match.

Don Arunasiri had inquired from the physio and informed me that there was nothing serious and that Sanath was not allowed to continue to bat as a precautionary measure. However, he played in the first six matches of the seven match series and did not perform to his true potential. Hence advised the Selector on tour to inform the team management not to include Sanath in the final encounter as to give this opportunity to a younger player on tour.

As regards second issue, the Selection Committee unanimously decided to leave out Sanath Jayasuriya from the Test series in India, which would give him ample time to take treatment and fully recover as well as to gain his lost form by playing in the domestic tournament and as preparation for the forthcoming One-Day series in the New Zealand and tri-nation tournament in Australia.

The Selectors decided to keep Sanath away from the India Test series to ensure that he has a longer career with Sri Lanka Cricket, at least up to the World Cup 2007.

With regard to the exclusion of Sanath Jayasuriya for the Test series in India, it is relevant to state here that this decision was taken in consultation with the Selector on Tour (who was the Chairman of Selectors on Tour), Coach Tom Moody and Captain Marvan Atapattu. I also wish to state that this decision was conveyed to Sanath Jayasuriya whilst on tour by myself.

Lalith Kaluperuma, Chairman - Selection Committee