Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu, who was the interim coach of Sri Lanka Cricket Team, was appointed as the national head coach at the Executive Committee meeting of Sri Lanka Cricket held on Wednesday.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that as per the recommendations of the special committee appointed to select the National Head Coach, the Executive Committee of SLC unanimously approved and appointed Marvan Attapattu to the position of National Head Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect” a statement by the Sri Lanka Cricket says.

Atapattu served as interim head coach for three Test series before this appointment. They were an away series in England and home series against South Africa and Pakistan. Sri Lanka recorded a memorable series win in England under Atapattu’s guidance.

His first assignment as national head coach will be preparing the team to meet England in a seven-match ODI series at home starting end of November. Afterwards, the Sri Lanka cricket team will undertake a tour of New Zealand for two Tests and 7 ODIs and then face the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February-March.