Sri Lanka boost player salaries after finances recover
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 16: Lahiru Gamage of Sri Lanka is congratulated by team mates during the second One Day International match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Sri Lanka Cricket have restored player salaries having cut them by 30 per cent in 2017, owing to poor financial performance.
In announcing a pay rise of 34 per cent, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have been able to offer contract to 33 players to play across all three formats in internationals.
This comes as a result of the governing body recording a profit of £10.1million for the last financial year.
“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,” board president Thilanga Sumathipala said.
With the salaries of all 33 players divided across five categories; A, B, C, D and Premier, Test captain Dinesh Chandimal, ODI captain Angelo Mathews, and seniors Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal and Dimuth Karunaratne are all in the A grade.
The Premier category features 16 years considered by SLC to be on the cusp of breaking into the national side across Tests, ODIs or T20.