Bhanuka Rajapaksa reconsiders retirement after Sri Lanka sports minister intervenes

Local media reports in Sri Lanka say the pair spoke for around 45 minutes at Temple Trees - the official residence of the country's prime minister, in Colombo

Bhanuka Rajapaksa has U-turned on his decision to retire from international cricket.

The 30-year-old submitted a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket last week informing the governing body of his intention to step away from the international arena.

However, on Thursday, SLC released a statement in which they said the batsman would not longer be retiring.

SLC claimed Rajapaksa had changed his mind following a conversation with the Sri Lankan youth and sports minister, Namal Rajapaksa, on Wednesday.

^{Sri Lanka sports minister Namal Rajapaksa intervened following Bhanuka Rajapaksa's decision to retire (Ishara S Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)}

The minister had made a public appeal to Rajapaksa to reconsider three days after he originally called time on his international career.

Local media reports in Sri Lanka say the pair spoke for around 45 minutes at Temple Trees - the official residence of the country's prime minister, in Colombo.

"In his letter to SLC withdrawing his resignation, he further states that he wishes to represent his country in the game he loves for the years to come," the SLC statement read.

Rajapaksa's about-face comes soon after Sri Lanka's cricket administrators introduced a new requirement for international players to give at least three months' notice of their intention to retire.

It remains unclear how the rule will be successfully implemented, given the apparent absence of any penalty options at SLC's disposal should players not conform.

^{Rajapaksa will be available for selection by Sri Lanka once again (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images)}

Rajapaksa initially cited the desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason for his decision to retire.

Part of his letter to SLC stated that he was "looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations".

Rajapaksa has played five one-day internationals and 18 T20 internationals for Sri Lanka, but has fallen out with the team's management on more than one occasion - over fitness levels and media appearances.

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