The 58-year-old former South Africa opener guided India to the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup title and later coached South Africa from 2011 to 2013.
He also briefly served as the white-ball coach of Pakistan in 2024, before stepping down after six months.
Kirsten replaces Sanath Jayasuriya, who resigned after Sri Lanka’s disappointing campaign at the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
According to Sri Lanka Cricket, his appointment from April 15, 2026, is part of efforts to revamp the country’s National High Performance Centre.
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will co-host the 2027 World Cup.