Hashan Tillakaratne named Sri Lanka batting coach until December 2027
Synopsis
A 1996 World Cup winner and former Test captain, Hashan Tillakaratne returns to Sri Lanka's senior men's set-up as batting coach — bringing World Cup pedigree, multi-format coaching experience across three national programmes, and a recent stint in the USA. His contract runs to December 2027, covering a critical phase of Sri Lanka's cricketing calendar.
Key Takeaways
Hashan Tillakaratne was appointed batting coach of the Sri Lanka senior men's national programme on 20 August 2026 .
His contract runs until 31 December 2027 ; he will be based at the National High Performance Centre in Colombo .
Tillakaratne played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs for Sri Lanka , scoring 8,334 international runs between 1989 and 2004 .
He captained Sri Lanka in 11 Test matches and was part of the 1996 Men's ODI World Cup -winning squad.
Previous coaching roles include batting coach of the Sri Lanka men's team, head coach of the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh women's teams, and a coaching stint in the USA .
Former Sri Lanka captain and 1996 Men's ODI World Cup winner Hashan Tillakaratne has been appointed batting coach of the Sri Lanka senior men's national programme, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed on Friday, 21 August 2026. The 59-year-old officially took charge on 20 August 2026, with his contract running through 31 December 2027.
The Appointment
SLC confirmed the appointment in an official statement, noting that Tillakaratne will be based at the National High Performance Centre in Colombo and will work directly with national players as part of the Senior Men's Programme. 'Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Hashan Tillakaratne as the batting coach of the senior men's program,' the board said.
Playing Career at a Glance
Tillakaratne represented Sri Lanka from 1989 to 2004, appearing in 83 Tests and 200 ODIs as a left-handed batter. He accumulated 8,334 international runs across both formats and captained the side in 11 Test matches. His most celebrated innings came against India in 2001, when he crafted an unbeaten 136 in the third Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo — the same venue set to host a Test between the two nations starting this Sunday.
Coaching Pedigree
Tillakaratne brings a varied coaching portfolio to the role. He has previously served as batting coach of the Sri Lanka senior men's team, head coach of the Sri Lanka women's national team, and head coach of the Bangladesh women's national team. He also served as a national selector and worked across senior, Under-19, and women's setups before completing a recent coaching stint in the United States of America (USA).
What This Means for Sri Lanka Cricket
The appointment comes at a significant juncture for Sri Lanka cricket, with the national side seeking greater batting consistency across formats. Tillakaratne's blend of World Cup-winning experience and multi-format coaching exposure makes him a credible choice for the role. His presence at the National High Performance Centre is expected to benefit not just the senior squad but also the pipeline of emerging batters in the national system. All eyes will be on how quickly his influence registers in upcoming series.
Point of View
But Sri Lanka's recent inconsistency with the bat has roots in structural selection and game-plan issues that a coaching appointment alone cannot fix. The real test will be whether his authority at the High Performance Centre extends to shaping the pipeline, not just managing incumbents. A contract through December 2027 gives him just enough time to make a measurable difference — if the board backs him with consistent squad selection.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hashan Tillakaratne?
Hashan Tillakaratne is a former Sri Lanka captain and 1996 Men's ODI World Cup winner who played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs between 1989 and 2004, scoring 8,334 international runs. He is a left-handed batter best remembered for an unbeaten 136 against India at the SSC Ground in Colombo in 2001.
What is Tillakaratne's new role with Sri Lanka Cricket?
He has been appointed batting coach of the Sri Lanka senior men's national programme, effective 20 August 2026. He will be based at the National High Performance Centre in Colombo and his contract runs until 31 December 2027.
What coaching experience does Tillakaratne bring to the role?
Tillakaratne has previously served as batting coach of the Sri Lanka senior men's team, head coach of the Sri Lanka women's national team, and head coach of the Bangladesh women's national team. He also worked as a national selector and completed a coaching stint in the USA.
Why does this appointment matter for Sri Lanka cricket?
Sri Lanka have sought greater batting reliability across formats, and Tillakaratne's World Cup-winning experience combined with his multi-format coaching background makes him a well-rounded appointment. His role at the High Performance Centre also positions him to influence the next generation of Sri Lankan batters.
When does Tillakaratne's contract as batting coach end?
His contract as batting coach of the Sri Lanka senior men's programme runs until 31 December 2027, covering an important stretch of international cricket for the national side.
