However, there are no places for allrounder Dhananajaya de Silva, fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, or wicketkeeper batters Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshand Dickwella. Kusal Mendis is likely to take the gloves.

Pathirana is actually one of two round-arm bowlers in this Sri Lanka squad. Nuwan Thushara, who played two T20Is earlier in the year, is also in the squad. They are joined on the pace front by Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, and Rajitha, who recently made a successful return from injury in the Test format.

On the spin front, Sri Lanka are led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who both had successful stints at the IPL. Hasaranga had a particularly excellent season, picking up 26 wickets at an economy rate of 7.54. He was one wicket off claiming the purple cap. Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama, and Sandakan are the other options.

The batting is fairly straightforward. Chandimal and de Silva were omitted on account of their modest strike rates in this format. Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Nuwanidu Fernando are all in the running for top order spots, while Dasun Shanaka, Madushanka, and Karunaratne are the middle order options.

The three-match series begins on June 7, at Khettarama (Colombo).

Standby: Jeffrey Vandersay, Niroshan Dickwella