By Oliver Brett BBC Sport

Woolmer was South Africa's coach at the 1999 World Cup

Bob Woolmer has declined an offer to coach Sri Lanka to continue his consultancy role for the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Woolmer told the BBC Sport website: "They did ask me but I turned them down."

New Zealand are due to arrive in Sri Lanka at the end of the month for a two-Test series and one-day triangular tournament, also involving Pakistan.

And it is unclear whether current incumbent Dav Whatmore, whose contract finishes at the end of May, will stay on for the series.

Whatmore was surprised to hear on Monday that his contract would not be renewed but he remains in charge for this week's Sharjah Cup.

Woolmer had been interviewed for a similar post with the West Indies side a month ago, although they opted for Australian Bennett King.

I will be trying to get the teams up to speed and hopefully to give them opportunities to play more cricket. Bob Woolmer Woolmer on his job with the minnows

And he revealed he has successfully negotiated with the ICC to stay on as high performance director after signing a fresh two-year contract.

His initial contract, to help Canada, Holland, Kenya and Namibia with their World Cup preparations, has ended, but he believes he can continue that role in a different vein.

Woolmer said: "There was a phone call from Sri Lanka asking me if I was interested, but I have put my target on the ICC role for the associate nations."

The 54-year-old played for England between 1975 and 1981 as a batsman and occasional medium pace bowler, scoring 1,059 runs in 19 Tests.

But his coaching CV has outstripped his playing career, having achieved notable success for South Africa and Warwickshire.