Fast bowler Dhammika Prasad has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a fractured hand at training on Saturday, two days prior to Sri Lanka's first warm-up encounter. The injury is expected to keep him out of action for four weeks, and the team will name a replacement subject to the approval of the ICC's event technical committee.

"Dhammika Prasad was hit on the outside of the left hand when attempting a return catch while bowling," an official release said. "The x-ray showed a fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone. The fracture has been realigned and put in a cast. Dhammika will not be available for the upcoming World Cup."

No decision on a replacement has yet been made, as chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya is en route to New Zealand to join the team as the selector-on-tour. The selection panel will then consult with team management and captain Angelo Mathews, before presenting their replacement to the event technical committee.

Sri Lanka have fast bowlers Shaminda Eranga and Dushmantha Chameera on standby, but may also name a batsman to take Prasad's place, as the batting order had been less productive than the selectors had hoped during the seven-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Eranga represents the safer option for Sri Lanka. He has only played 17 ODIs, but has been a fixture of the Test side, and recently took three wickets at 27.66 in his two outings against New Zealand. Chameera, 23, is the quicker bowler, but he has only played one ODI.

Among the potential pool of batsmen that could be named, are Upul Tharanga, who has been among the runs in Sri Lanka's ongoing first-class tournament, and Kusal Perera.

Prasad was struck in the hand by a ball bludgeoned back at him by Thisara Perera. He played two ODIs against New Zealand, taking two scalps at 45.2.