COLOMBO, July 21: Sri Lanka’s sports minister on Monday refused to endorse the appointment of ex-captain Hashan Tillekeratne as manager of the national cricket team for the upcoming series against India.

Minister Gamini Lokuge did not give any reason for his decision but Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be asked to nominate another person for the job, S. Liyanagama, secretary of the sports ministry, said.

Both the cricket officials and Tillekeratne himself had denied earlier reports that Lokuge had refused to accept the nomination over the former captain’s political allegiance.The 41-year-old Tillekeratne is a member of the main opposition United National Party.

“No one has informed me of any decision, I will speak to the press when I get word from the cricket board,” Tillekeratne said.

SLC Media Manager Shane Fernando also said that the ministry has still not relayed its decision officially.—AP