Hashan Tillakaratne says he is the manager Sri Lanka's cricket team despite reports he was removed after a day.

The former opening batsman replaced Shriyan Samararatne, who's term ended after the Asia Cup.

A report in the Daily Mirror, however, said sports minister Gamini Lokuge refused to endorse Tillakaratne's appointment for political reasons. Tillakeratne is a member of the opposition United National Party.

But the left-handed batsman said he was still the manager and he had not received any official intimation stating otherwise.

"I offered my services and it was accepted," Tillakeratne told reporters after the team's morning practice at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

"As far as I am concerned, I am still the team's manager and there has been no letter to suggest that I am not," he added.

Tillakaratne's appointment has been ratified by Sri Lanka Cricket's Interim Committee, the governing body of the sport in the country.

However, his appointment needs to be ratified by the sports ministry, a step which is still pending.

Tillakaratne continues as manager until then.

Tillakaratne played in 83 Tests and scored 4,545 runs and in 200 one-day internationals amassed 3,789 runs.

He made his debut in 1989 and was a regular in the national team for 15 years.

The first of three Tests between Sri Lanka and India gets under way in Colombo on Friday before five one-day internationals next month.