Sri Lanka suspend coach ahead of New Zealand series

Sri Lankan cricket authorities Wednesday suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and appointed a temporary replacement for the upcoming New Zealand series.

Cricket board chairman Shammi Silva said former Sri Lanka fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake was made interim coach pending a final decision on the status of Hathurusingha.

"Hathurusingha will not be involved in this (New Zealand) series," Silva told reporters in Colombo.

"We can't tell you details because this might end up being a legal issue."