Rajapaksa asks to be released from ODI squad

Sri Lanka will be without middle order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa for the three-match ODI series that begins in Pallekele today, after he asked to be released from the playing squad to take a break from the format.

Rajapaksa was part of a 16-member squad that was approved by Sports Minister and released yesterday, which also omitted all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne as earlier reported.
All-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan was drafted into the squad in place of Karunaratne in a contingent that has a number of changes in the bowling department, compared to the squad that featured in Sri Lanka’s last ODI assignment -- a home series against Australia.

The Squad: Dasun Shanaka - Captain, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Lahiru Kumara.