Kaluwitharana's return was anticipated following a series of poor performances behind the wickets by newcomer Lanka de Silva in the recently concluded three-Test series against India, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
De Silva replaced Kaluwitharana during the one-day home series against India and on good performances in Pakistan's Wills Quadrangular, he was retained for the Test series in India where he made his debut.
Although Kaluwitharana has not done anything exceptional in his wicket-keeping from the time he was dropped till his recall, it is the common belief that with his experience and positive approach, he is capable of getting a fifty or a century with rapidity than De Silva.
The facial injury which De Silva suffered during the final Test at Mumbai would also have weighed against him in the final selection.
De Silva was hit on the face while batting in the Sri Lanka first innings by a short-pitched delivery from Indian paceman Javagal Srinath. The injury required eight stitches and De Silva did not keep wickets in the Indian second innings although he batted with discomfort in the Sri Lanka second innings, when Sri Lanka were trying to stave off defeat.
Also finding his way into the 14-member one-day squad is leg-spinner Upul Chandana at the expense of left-armer spinner Jayantha Silva.
Fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara, who showed a vast improvement in his bowling in the Test series, finds himself on the sidelines. Opening batsman Russel Arnold is the other player left out of the 16-member team that toured India for the Test series.
Promising batsman Mahela Jayawardene and experienced fast bowler Pramodya Wickremasinghe, who was recalled for the Indian Test series, retain their places in the one-day team.
Primary off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan, who missed out on the Mumbai Test due to a hand injury, is also included.
The Sri Lanka team which returned home on Monday, will travel to India for their second leg on December 20 to play one-day internationals at Guwahati (on December 22), at Gwalior (on December 25) and at Goa (on December 27).
In the last one-day series played between the two countries in August this year, Sri Lanka made a clean sweep winning 3-0 at home.
The Sri Lanka squad for the one-day series in India : Arjuna Ranatunga (captain), Aravinda de Silva (vice-captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillekeratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Sajeeva de Silva, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Muthiah Muralitharan, Kumara Dharmasena, Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Chandana.