Angelo Mathews will lead the Sri Lankan cricket team in the ICC Champions Trophy to be held next month in England, and spinner Ajantha Mendis has once been again overlooked for the 15-member squad announced Thursday.
Mendis, who plays for Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was also dropped from the Sri Lankan squad for the home ODI series in March against Bangladesh.
Delhi Daredevils captain Mahela Jayawardene makes a return to the side after missing the ODI series against Bangladesh due to a finger injury.
The selectors also recalled left-arm pacer Chanaka Welegedara, who last played an ODI in 2010. He was included in the Test tour of Australia last year but returned home due to a hamstring injury.
Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga and Sachithra Senanayake, who are all playing in the IPL, are also in the squad for the June 6-23 tournament.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekera, Shaminda Eranga, Sachithra Senanayake and Chanaka Welagedera.
