Murali has enjoyed successful spells with Lancashire

Lancashire clinched a deal to bring the world's leading Test wicket-taker back to Old Trafford after two successful spells in 1999 and 2001.

"I hope Murali's signing paves the way for more Sri Lankan cricketers to have stints with counties," said de Silva.

"The contrasting conditions could only make a player better."

Murali, who has taken 532 Test wickets, is the most experienced of the very few Sri Lankans to have played county cricket, the only other notables being Aravinda de Silva with Kent and Chaminda Vaas who had a short stint with Hampshire this year.

Duleep Mendis, the chief executive of Sri Lanka cricket, was also pleased Murali will be returning to Lancashire.

He hopes it will help the spin bowler regain his fitness following a long injury lay-off.

Murali has been out of action with a shoulder injury, forcing him to miss the ICC Champions Trophy in September and the triangular one-day international tournament Sri Lanka are currently playing in Pakistan.

He is also expected to sit out Sri Lanka's trip to New Zealand in December and January,

"As he might miss the New Zealand trip in December and January, a stint with the county will help him to come back," said Mendis.

"As Sri Lanka are in for a rather heavy second half to next summer, I am confident this will help Muralitharan to get into the groove and really get ready to move on."