Sri Lanka Cricket announced the move before the second Test after a disastrous innings and 40-run loss to Australia inside three days at the Gabba.

The team have not won a Test since defeating South Africa at home 2-0 in July, losing to England, New Zealand and Australia after that memorable series victory.

But Hathurusingha is still yet to hear an official explanation about why his position has been diminished.

"I was not given any reason ... it's a bit out of my control at the moment," he told reporters on Saturday.

"After this tour, I'll probably have a chance to speak to the authorities.

"There's not much communication (back to Sri Lanka) so I can't give you much but, once I finish this series, I'll probably be in a better position to answer that."

The move continued the upheaval in Sri Lankan cricket, with batting coach Jon Lewis recently leaving the tour for personal reasons.

He only replaced Thilan Samaraweera last month, when the 81-Test veteran was sacked.

Sri Lanka are the only cricketing nation who could come close to rivalling Australia in the past 12 months for drama.

The ICC confirmed this week it had received new information in an investigation into cricket corruption in the country, as a 15-day amnesty on those reporting it ended on Thursday.

Former captain and selector Sanath Jayasuriya was charged last October by the ICC for refusing to cooperate with the sport's anti-corruption unit. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Former quick and ex-bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa was also suspended last year by Sri Lankan Cricket over match-fixing allegations.

Sri Lanka have been rocked by injuries, entering this Test in Canberra with a different bowling attack to Brisbane.

The fast bowling unit at Manuka Oval started the match with a total of five Tests between them.

Australian Associated Press