Sri Lanka Women coach Hemantha Devapriya resigns

Hemantha Devapriya, the coach of Sri Lanka Women, has resigned from the post with immediate effect, citing personal reasons.

Devapriya was on a two-year contract, having been appointed in October 2016, but his sudden resignation leaves the team needing a new coach just five months before the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2018 in the Caribbean.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said they are hoping to have a new coach in place ahead of their next assignment against India Women in September.

"Whilst thanking Devapriya for his services, SLC will start the process of engaging a new coach to take the women's team forward,'' said Ashley De Silva, the SLC chief executive.

Sri Lanka didn't have the greatest results under Devapriya – just seven wins in 34 internationals. In the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Malaysia earlier this month, Sri Lanka suffered a shock loss to Thailand Women, and won just two of their five matches. They fared poorer at the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 in England, winning just one match out of seven.

Devapriya played first-class cricket in the 1980s and 1990s, having made his debut against the Australians in 1980. He finished with 1761 runs in 70 first-class matches, as his participation in the rebel tour to South Africa ended his hopes of playing for his country.

He has since been a coach, for up to 17 years.