COLOMBO, Oct 10: Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge is keen to bring back former captain Marvan Atapattu into the squad for next month’s tour of Australia, a ministry official said here on Wednesday.

“The minister hopes to see Atapattu in the next few days to hear his side of the story. He is keen to see an end to the present row between him and the selectors,” spokesman Kapila Bamunuarachchi said.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have already named their squad for the two Test matches in Australia, but the sports minister’s approval is needed to make it official.

Atapattu was not immediately available for comment.

Lokuge on Tuesday met the selection panel, including chairman Asantha de Mel, to iron out the problems.—AFP