Former Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne will continue as the manager of that country’s national cricket team despite the sports minister’s vehement opposition to his appointment.

Tillakaratne, a veteran of 83 Test matches, is also a politician associated with the main opposition party, United National Party (UNP). That affiliation prompted Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge to demand his removal from the manager’s post.

"We have clear policies according to which Tillakaratne must chose between politics and his role in the team. I have indicated to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that he be removed from the position," Lokuge told IANS.

Tillakaratne is unruffled by the development and claims to have the backing of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). "I am still the manager and I attended team practices this morning," he said. A law requires all Sri Lanakan national team members to be ratified by the minister.