The selectors offered the pair, the most successful bowlers in Sri Lanka's one-day international history, an opportunity to rest because both have niggling injuries.

Sri Lanka have recalled left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa, leg-spinning all rounder Upul Chandana, middle-order batsman Russel Arnold and medium pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekera to a 15-man squad for the series.

Batsman Chamara Kalpugedera has been axed following the New Zealand tour but will remain on standby in case one of the eight specialist batsmen gets injured.

Seam bowlers Ruchira Perera and Akalanka Ganegama were also dropped after the drawn series with the Kiwis.

The India series, Sri Lanka's last before the World Cup, starts in Poona on February 8 and finishes at Visakhapatnam on February 17.

SQUAD
Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Nuwan Zoysa, Nuwan Kulasekera.