Marvan Atapattu’s appointment as Sri Lanka’s first full-time local coach in 15 years has been confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket, following a six-week vetting process, and his three-month tenure as interim coach. SLC’s coach-selection committee interviewed Atapattu and one other remaining candidate on Tuesday, and then recommended Atapattu as their preferred candidate to the executive committee.
The executive committee then “unanimously approved and appointed Mr. Marvan Attapattu to the position of National Head Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect,” an SLC release said.
Atapattu was always a strong contender for the position, thanks largely to his intimate knowledge of the Sri Lanka set-up and its players, as well as his success as interim head coach. In three tours in charge, Atapattu oversaw a major Test series win over England in June, as well as triumphs in the ODIs and Twenty20. Disappointments against South Africa at home followed, in both series, but Sri Lanka rebounded under him to defeat Pakistan in the ODIs and win the Test series 2-0.
