Sports minister Harin Fernando has ordered the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to sack the national coaches after the Bangladesh series at home because of their lackluster World Cup 2019 campaign in England.

An SLC official revealed that the national coaching staff including head coach Chandika Hathurusingha would be fired after their upcoming One Day International series against Bangladesh at home.

The sports minister wants a complete overhaul of the national coaching structure after Sri Lanka managed just three wins from nine games in the showpiece event in the UK. The official also revealed that Mr. Fernando wanted to make changes in the coaching department before the World Cup 2019.

An SLC official said Fernando has ordered the coaches “should go after the Bangladesh tournament.”

Having another 16 months, the under-pressure Hathurusingha had insisted that he would like to stay at his post until his contract runs out, but Fernando isn’t in the mood to have him at the helm.  

On the other hand, the board official also revealed that the contracts of fielding coach Steve Rixon, batting coach Jon Lewis, and fast bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake will also not be renewed.

Bangladesh will become the first foreign sports team to visit the Island since the April 21 suicide bombings when they arrive here on Saturday for the three-match ODI series starting on 26 July 26.

(With AFP Inputs)