Muralitharan, 35, needs five more wickets to achieve the feat and is expected to surpass the Australian mark of 708 wickets during the ongoing Test series against England.

"We have decided to release a stamp in honour of Muralitharan after he breaks the world record of highest Test wickets," a top cricket official said.

A circular stamp is to be issued by the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka.

This will be the first time a circular stamp is issued in Sri Lankan history, the Daily Mirror newspaper said.

The stamp will be of a denomination of Rs 5 with a design of 'Pulasthi Ediriweera' and a circular design denoting the cricket ball.

On the day of issue, a first day cover and the commemorative sheet with 12 stamps with Muralitharan's signature will be made available to the public, the newspaper said.

Sri Lanka Cricket has been conducting meetings with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the stamp will be issued soon after Muralitharan achieves the feat.