Ben, the younger brother of Adam Hollioake, has appeared in only one Test for England against Australia at Nottingham last year, but has shown fine form with both bat and ball this season for Surrey, to force the selectors to recall him ahead of Andrew Flintoff.
Flintoff goes out of the England side after playing in two Test-winning England sides against South Africa at Trent Bridge and Leeds.
Ben Hollioake showed his immense potential on the tour of Sri Lanka when he recorded his maiden first-class century (103) in the second unofficial Test played at Matara, and followed it up with an even bigger and better one in the third and final 'Test' at Moratuwa, scoring 163. England 'A' won both 'Tests' by one wicket and by seven wickets to take the series 2-0 (1 drawn).
The England selectors have also included John Crawley of Lancashire, who is a good player of spin bowling and leg-spinner Ian Salisbury of Surrey to play on his home ground.
Crawley is there as cover up for Nasser Hussain, who is recovering from a groin injury sustained in the Emirates Triangular final against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Thursday.
Salisbury is one of four Surrey players named in the squad to play at home, the others being skipper Alec Stewart and opening bat Mark Butcher. Surrey are firm favourites to win the county championships this season holding a 23-point lead over nearest rivals Lancashire.
Graeme Hick retains his place in the team despite scoring nine runs in three Test innings against South Africa. Since that poor run, Hick has been in good nick in the Emirates Triangular tournament with scores of 86, 64 and 14.
``This is a Test match we want to win. Alec Stewart is keen to get three Test wins in a row,'' said England chairman of selectors David Graveney in announcing the team.
``Sri Lanka proved they are a good side in the Emirates one-day tournament. They have world class batsmen and bowlers,'' said Graveney.
The England squad of 13 against Sri Lanka:
Alec Stewart, captain (Surrey), Michael Atherton (Lancashire), Mark Butcher (Surrey), Dominic Cork (Derbyshire), John Crawley (Lancashire), Angus Fraser (Middlesex), Darren Gough (Yorkshire), Nasser Hussain (Essex), Graeme Hick (Worcestershire), Ben Hollioake (Surrey), Allan Mullally (Leicestershire), Mark Ramprakash (Middlesex), Ian Salisbury (Surrey).