Sri Lanka has dropped opener Kusal Perera and recalled seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekara for the upcoming one-day international series against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka named a 16-member squad for the seven-match series, which starts in Christchurch on January 11.

Dimuth Karunaratne, who played his last one-day game for Sri Lanka one year ago, was retained after he hit 152 in the first test against New Zealand even though Sri Lanka lost the match by eight wickets.

Karunaratne was part of Sri Lanka’s squad for the last two matches in the seven-match one-day series against England that ended this month. However, he was not selected to play a match.

Karunaratne may now open the batting with Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Perera had a string of failures recently, managing only one half-century in 17 innings. Kulasekara was dropped for the England series.

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga was also included in the squad, subject to a fitness test after an injury.

Sri Lanka squad:

Angelo Mathews (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Shaminda Eranga.