Sri Lanka's new president has ordered a government probe into Sanath Jayasuriya's sacking from the Test squad for a three-match series in India.
Mahinda Rajapakse, elected last month, has appointed Saman Amarasinghe, chairman of the sports council and a former umpire, to head the inquiry.
"There were many requests for an investigation...and I have asked sports minister Jeevan Kumaratunga to look into the matter," Rajapakse told the media.
Experienced opener Jayasuriya's controversial axing followed a lacklustre performance during a seven-match one-day series against India, which Sri Lanka lost 6-1. Jayasuriya, a former captain, scored 85 runs in six innings.
The selectors argued that the decision to drop the 36-year-old for the first time in a decade was primarily due to concerns over his slow-healing dislocated shoulder.
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The inquiry is also expected to investigate other controversial selections following speculation that political interference may have contributed to the sacking of Mahela Jayawardene as vice-captain.
Jayawardene, groomed for the Sri Lanka captaincy over the last two years, was suddenly replaced by Chaminda Vaas by a four-man selection panel headed by Lalith Kaluperuma.
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