Mahela Jayawardene steps down as vice-captain, selectors also offer to resign

A day after skipper Kumar Sangakkara stepped down, turmoil continued in Sri Lanka's cricket team with vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene also quitting his post and the selection panel offering to resign en masse.

"Mahela has sent a letter stepping down from vice-captaincy. The officials would soon meet to discuss a replacement," Sri Lanka Cricket chairman DS de Silva said.

The national selection panel - headed by Aravinda de Silva and comprising Ranjith Fernando, Amal Silva and Shabbir Asgerally - has also offered its resignation to sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, officials said.

Yesterday, Sangakkara had said that he was leaving the job to enable Sri Lanka find a suitable successor leading to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Jayawardene, who was previously captain, has been Sangakkara's deputy since 2009. De Silva's selection panel was appointed in May 2010.

His panel has come in for severe criticism when Sri Lanka lost to India in Saturday's World Cup final.