SriLanka, Aug. 22 -- Former Sri Lanka middle order Test batsman Hashan Tillekaratne has been appointed as, what Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) calls, "the batting coach of the senior men's programme".

His appointment was made on Thursday, a day after Sri Lanka crashed to a disastrous 165 runs defeat against India in the first Test in Galle.

He will be based at SLC's National High Performance Centre and will work with the national players as part of the senior men's programme according to SLC.

Tillekeratne earlier served as the batting coach of the Sri Lanka team and the head coach of the Sri Lanka women's team.

Known as run-grafter and mainstay at the crease, the ex-south paw Tillekaratne was witness to how Sri Lanka crumbled in the second i...