COLOMBO, Jan 29, 2013 (AFP) -Sri Lanka's cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya has been made the head of a new five-member selection panel for the national team, Sri Lanka Cricket announced.
The 43-year-old star from the 1996 World Cup-winning Sri Lankan team said he was keen to encourage younger players after he was confirmed in the new role on Monday.
"I am looking forward to start a new journey with young talent to steer Sri Lanka cricket to the winning streak without hurting anyone," Jayasuriya told the state-run Daily News in comments published Tuesday.
The former captain is now a member of parliament representing the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance of President Mahinda Rajapakse.
He played 110 Tests, 445 one-day internationals and 31 Twenty20 matches during his career.
The others in the selection board are: Pramodya Wickramasinghe, Hemantha Wickremarathne, Chaminda Mendis and Eric Upashantha.