Australia win, Tillakaratne quits
Hashan Tillakaratne resigned as Sri Lankan test captain after his side were beaten for the third time by Australia to lose the home series 3-0.
Tillakaratne, appointed as interim skipper after the resignation of Sanath Jayasuriya last year, won just one test in his 10-match tenure.
"I am stepping down as captain because it is high time that someone should take over and I can concentrate on my batting," said Tillakaratne.
"I have spoken to the selectors about how I feel about it and they have accepted my resignation. We lost the series and if someone is going to take over then this is the time to do it with so many tours coming up."
Shane Warne took his test wicket tally to 517 -- two shot of all-time leading wicket taker Courtney Walsh -- with four wickets as Australia completed a 121-run win with eight balls to spare.
It was Australia's first series win on the subcontinent in six years and made them the first touring team to sweep Sri Lanka at home.
Seeking to bowl out the home side, Australia had little success in the afternoon, but Sri Lanka collapsed after tea losing six wickets in the last 34 overs as they were bowled out for 248.
Australia had set them a winning target of 370.
Clean sweep
"We stuck to things we knew were going to work for us and had worked in the series. Things just fell into place perfectly at the end," said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
"We had set our sights on winning this game and clean sweeping the series.
"At certain stages, it didn't like we'd quite get there, but we did. It's a huge result. It says a lot about how much we've improved in these conditions over the last few years."
Tillakaratne was disappointed with the performance of his top order, believing that Sri Lanka needed to toughen up.
"We need to show a bit of character when the going gets tough but we were so soft and I am sure that we could have saved this match," he said.
Marvan Atapattu, the vice-captain and one-day captain, is tipped to be appointed to take over Sri Lanka's tour to Zimbabwe in mid-April.
Muralitharan reported
On a bad day for Sri Lanka, Muttiah Muralitharan -- who like Warne reached the 500 test wicket milestone during the series to claim third place on the all-time bowling list -- was reported for a suspect bowling action.
International Cricket Council match referee Chris Broad announced his decision after the final test on Sunday, won by Australia to complete a series whitewash.
Muralitharan enjoyed a prolific three games against Australia, claiming 28 wickets to extend his career tally to 513, in sight of Walsh's 519 though four behind rival Warne.
The reporting of Muralitharan revives a controversy surrounding the bowler which dates back over eight years when he was called for throwing in a test match in Australia.
Broad told reporters: "I informed the Sri Lanka team management today that a report had been lodged with the ICC concerning the action of Sri Lanka bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, particularly when he bowls his 'new' delivery that turns away from the right-handed batsman.
"The concern is that this ball may be delivered with an action that is not in accordance with the laws of the game and accordingly I have submitted this report for further investigation."
Team manager Ajit Jayasekera told reporters: "We broke the news to the team and Murali at the end of play. He was very disappointed, but Murali does not think he has a problem with this delivery."
