"We are disappointed. But the truth is its an internal matter and theres nothing we can do about it," said Jayantha Dharmadasa, the chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee.

The West Indies were scheduled to arrive Sunday to play Test matches in Colombo (July 13 to 17) and Kandy (July 21 to 25). India then join the two teams for the one-day tournament from July 30 to August 9.

Top batsmen Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan were missing from the squad announced on Thursday after a sponsorship row involving players and the West Indies cricket board.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was named captain of the squad having as many as eight players currently playing in Sri Lanka for the West Indies-A team.

"We looked at the possibility of postponing the series, but it was not possible because of a hectic schedule. Doing so will also lead to other complications," Dharmadasa added.

He also feared the absence of top players, especially Lara, would have an adverse affect on sponsorship for the matches.

"I am sure our sponsors are not going to like this, but then theres hardly anything we can do as this is beyond our control," Dharmadasa said.

"The Indians will be here for the tri-series after the Tests and hopefully well be able to make up then," he said.

Lara was a hit when the West Indies toured here four years ago as he piled up a massive 688 runs in three Tests with three centuries at an average of 114.66. But despite his brilliant effort, the West Indies were drubbed 3-0.

A similar row was resolved in time for a one-day series in Australia earlier this year, but it resurfaced before South Africa's tour of the West Indies when some top players were forced to miss the first Test.

SQUAD
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Denesh Ramdin, Daren Powell, Omari Banks, Kerry Jeremy, Deighton Butler, Sylvester Joseph, Narsingh Deonarine, Dwayne Smith, Tino Best, Jermaine Lawson, Xavier Marshall, Runako Morton, Ryan Ramdass.