SYDNEY. Feb 1; Sri Lankan opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya will be out of cricket for at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on his broken arm in Melbourne on Monday, reports AP.

Wlii'le his teammates arrived in Sydney to prepare for Wednesday's one-day international against England. Jayasuriya 'flew from Perth to Melbourne alter his break compounded an unhappy and tumultuous tour for the Sri Lankans.

Controversial spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is doubtful for Wednesday's match after injuring his groin Sunday, while Sri Lankan officials were hopeful Aravinda da Silva would return from a calf injury.

Jayasuriya suffered the injury when hit by a delivery from paceman Brendon Julian in Australia's 45-run win on an uneven WACA pitch which knocked the Sri Lankans out of contention for the tri-series fl-

As well as a below-par performances on the field by the world champions. Sri Lanka has carried a cloud of controversy on the tour.

Muralitharan was no-balled for throwing and captain Arjuna Ranatunga was handed a suspended six-match ban after clashing with umpire Ross Emerson over the call.

Sri Lankan team manager Ranjith Fernando said the players had tried to ignore the controversy and carry on with their cricket.

But he said the Sri Lankan board would hold a thorough investigation into Muralitha-ran’s treatment by Australian crowds, media and umpires and Ranatunga's code of conduct hearing.

"We could have done without all the controversy, but I can't really comment on that. I'm bound by a code of conduct." said Fernando.

"It's a matter which ,will be under the authority of our board; they will address what exactly went wrong. They have to find the root cause and find out why things like that do happen.”

Sri Lanka needed to beat Australia on Sunday to have any chance of staying alive for the finals. After Wednesday against England, it plays Aus-' tralia in Melbourne on Sunday to close out the tour.

"It's very disappointing," Fernando said. "We thought we were in with some sort of chance when Sanath had us ahead of the run rate, but unfortunate incidents continue to plague us. He was the key."