The decision to continue with the shared captaincy was reached following discussions in Colombo between a four-man selection committee and new coach John Dyson and ratified on Monday by the sports ministry.

The announcement ended speculation that Tillakaratne, 35, would be axed after failing to win a Test in four attempts, as Sri Lanka drew a two-Test home series 0-0 against New Zealand and lost 1-0 to West Indies in the Caribbean.

"He's had only four Tests as captain and he has not performed all that badly," Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors, told reporters.

"We will give him another opportunity against England before reviewing the situation and deciding whether we should continue with two captains," he added

Atapattu has also had mixed fortunes during his short tenure as one-day captain. Sri Lanka failed to qualify for a triangular series final on home soil for the first time, although he did lead the side to a 2-1 win against West Indies.

Sri Lanka's form slump had prompted speculation that former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who resigned in April after a four-year tenure, might make a surprise return.

But Kaluperuma denied that Jayasuriya's name had been discussed, saying that Jayasuriya had not given them any indication that he would return as captain.

The selectors will pick the squad for the England series after Sri Lanka A's current tour of South Africa and Kenya, which continues until the end of October.

England will play three one-dayers and three Tests in Sri Lanka during November and December after their inaugural tour of Bangladesh.