by Rex Clementine
Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Duleep Mendis has been put in charge as the coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team for the up-coming two match Test series against New Zealand and for the tri nation series, which also involves Pakistan, that will follow, BCCSL officials said.

Mendis will fill function as "Interim coach" replacing Dav Whatmore until a new national coach is appointed. Although BCCSL initially turned down Dav Whatmore’s request to relieve him of his duties, it reversed it’s decision and allowed him to take the break. Whatmore is contracted with BCCSL until the end of May.

At the moment, BCCSL is negotiating with Steve Rixon, Graeme Ford and John Bracewell to take up Whatmore’s post. The new coach is expected to take over before Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies.

Mendis coached the side during the 1992 World Cup and continued thereafter. He was also the manager of the side when Sri Lanka won the Wills World Cup in 1996. He functioned in a similar capacity as "interim coach" in 1997-1998 when Bruce Yardley took a break due to medical reasons.