In 2015, he captured 41 Test wickets.

At a media briefing yesterday (24), chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, when questioned about Prasad’s omission, said a time period of his recovering from injury was uncertain.

Injured players will be given contracts only after they recover, Sri Lanka Cricket said.

However, Dushmantha Chameera and Dinesh Chandimal have been given contracts despite being in the injured list.

Critics say Prasad’s omission is unfortunate, and said it is like eliminating horses with broken legs.

Also dropped from the list are Lasith Malinga, Thissara Perera and Sachitra Senanayake.

The 17 contracted players are: Anjelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunartne, Kusal Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Tirimanne, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Nuwan Pradeep, Kaushal Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhanushka Gunatilake, Jeffrey Vandersay and Lakshan Sandakan.