New Zealand will play the first of two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle rather than Colombo.

The Black Caps were due to be based in Colombo for the entire tour with both Tests, the one-day internationals, and two Twenty20 internationals to be played in the city during their August-September tour.

But New Zealand Cricket's general manager of cricket, Geoff Allott, and New Zealand Cricket Players' Association boss, Heath Mills, were concerned that the players may struggle being cooped up in the same hotel with little opportunity to get out and about in the security-conscious country.

"It was really important for us to try and get the players out of Colombo for this period," Allott told the 'Sunday Herald'.

Conditions in Galle are also expected to be less oppressive and more suited to seam bowling, which should also aid the Black Caps.

"We didn't want to make too much noise about that," Allott said of the more seamer-friendly wicket. "But we were quietly pleased to see the ball do a bit and the seamers dominate the wickets (in the recent Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan)."

There have also been changes to the original one-day programme with the five-match bilateral series making way for a tri-series also involving India which will run from September 8-14.

The two Twenty20 internationals will be played at the start of September at the conclusion of the two-Test series.

New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India will all head to South Africa for the Champions Trophy after the one-day series.