Jayasuriya has scored three ODI centuries against Pakistan

Key all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya, plus pacemen Chaminda Vaas and Ruchira Perera have been ruled out for all three matches, all staged in Colombo.

Jayasuriya, beset by injury recently, now has a thigh strain, Vaas a side strain and Perera a torn hamstring.

Jehan Mubarak, Lasith Malinga and Dammika Prasad have been called up.

Shoulder trouble saw Jayasuriya miss much of the VB Series in Australia this year.

That injury was originally sustained in August last year, but was damaged again twice in bizarre fashion, colliding with the team physiotherapist playing water polo and slipping in the shower.

Jayasuriya has an impressive record against Pakistan.

This series is very important for both sides in terms of the Champions Trophy Bob Woolmer

In 72 one-day internationals he has scored 18 fifties and three hundreds, with an average of 34, slightly higher than his overall record in the one-day game.

Sri Lanka will also miss his wily slow left-arm bowling, which has yielded 273 wickets from his astonishing 357 matches since his debut in December 1989.

Spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan missed training on Wednesday following the death of a close relative, but he will be available for the opening match, a day/night encounter.

The remaining games in the series take place on 19 and 21 March.

Both teams are aware of the significance of the series, with a place in the international top six eliminating the need for pre-qualifying for the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan are currently fifth, five points ahead of Sri Lanka, one place out of the coveted top six.