 After a long layoff from the side when other players took over in the opening batsman position, and the subsequent discovery of Sanath Jayasuriya in just that position, Hathurusingha began to play once again, but this time as a strong middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler.This was not to prove overly effective, though, and when Hathurusingha was not called upon to play in the Cricket World Cup in 1999, this brought about an end to his international career.He played once again in the Premier Tournament and became Player of the Tournament three seasons running (2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04).