Sri Lanka players to receive pay increase

Sri Lanka’s cricket board (SLC) have announced that national players will receive a pay increase following record profits in 2017.

The SLC currently have 33 players under contract, split into five categories, with the national side and all will receive a pay hike while match fees will also be bumped up.

The board announced a record annual profit of 2.12 billion rupees ($14 million) for 2017, 33 times what it made the year before.

Broadcasting earnings from an India tour last year were thought to be a major contributor.

SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala said: “Since SLC has made good financial gains during the concluded financial year, we thought it is appropriate to give a pay raise for the players, as they are making a major contribution towards the growth of Sri Lanka cricket.”

The SLC also said a statement: “Sri Lanka Cricket raised the wages of national players by 34 percent for the period of 2018/19, following strong results achieved during the concluded financial year.”

Sri Lanka contracts list:

Category A: Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal

Category B: Upul Tharanga, Dilruwan Perera

Category C: Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dananjaya De Silva; Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera

Category D: Akila Danajaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Asela Gunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Nuwan Pradeep

Premier Category: Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lahiru Gamage, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshan Sadakan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dasun Shanaka, Kaushal Silva, Shehan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Malinda Pushpakumara, Amila Aponso, Wanidu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dilshan Munaweera.