Kumar Sangakkara [Images] has been appointed Sri Lanka [Images] captain, the selectors confirmed on Wednesday.

Sangakkara, 31, the vice-captain since 2006, was the obvious heir apparent to Mahela Jayawardene [Images], who stepped down after the recent Pakistan tour which was abandoned when gunmen attacked the team bus on the way to the stadium in Lahore [Images].

Six players were injured and seven Pakistanis killed in the incident.

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan [Images] has been appointed as Sangakkara's deputy.

Sangakkara's first tournament in charge will be the ICC [Images] World Twenty20 [Images] in England [Images] in June.

The selectors have also finalised a provisional 25-member squad for the tournament.

The final 15 will be picked after an Inter-provincial Twenty20 tournament which will be held from March 25 to April 5.

Squad:

Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Muttiah Muralitharan (vice-captain), Sanath Jayasuriya [Images], Tillakaratne Dilshan [Images], Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Kapugedera [Images], Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thilan Thushara, Lasith Malinga [Images], Chaminda Vaas [Images], Ajantha Mendis [Images], Kaushal Weeraratne, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Chintaka Jayasinghe, Nuwan Zoysa, Gihan Rupasinghe, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara, Dilhara Fernando.