It's taking some time to return to normal Marvan Atapattu

And captain Marvan Atapattu says it is important that the series goes ahead.

"Most people have been asking when we are going to start. They are pretty keen to watch us again. It's more than a game for Sri Lankans," he said.

The first Test starts in Napier on 4 April, with the second match beginning in Wellington a week later.

Before that the tourists will play a three-day match against the Major Associations XI in Christchurch, starting on Saturday.

Atapattu's men have not played Test cricket for almost five months but their next opponents have had a tough time of it on the field of play.

I don't read too much into New Zealand's performance John Dyson

New Zealand have been comprehensively beaten in three of their last four Tests by Australia.

Even without injured off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and left-arm paceman Nuwan Zoysa, the islanders will fancy their chances.

But coach John Dyson said it was dangerous to write off the Kiwis based on their results against the all-conquoring Australians.

"I don't read too much into the New Zealand team's performance. The Australians are an awesome side, they just demolish everybody," Dyson said.

"New Zealand have some very good players, up-and-coming players. Our main concern is to worry about our own game and adapt to the local conditions as quickly as possible."