Experienced left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's tri-series opener against India on Saturday with a hamstring injury.
Vaas, 31, sustained the injury during the second Test against West Indies last weekend, and the management is not prepared to risk his long-term fitness.
"Chaminda is having treatment and progressing but he is not going to play in the first game," physiotherapist CJ Clarke said before a practice match on Thursday.
Fellow fast bowler Dilhara Fernando also has a slight thigh strain but is expected to be fit and could replace Vaas.
Fernando, who took nine wickets in five games in a recent A team series against West Indies, has just returned to the squad after a frustrating year recovering from a stress fracture of the back and poor form.
Clarke is hopeful Vaas will play at some stage during the triangular series against India and West Indies, which starts on Saturday when the hosts take on India under lights at Dambulla.
