Sri Lanka revamp pay structure

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has revamped the pay structure of the national team, slashing player contract salaries and introducing performance-related incentives for the national team.

Player contracts have been cut by 30% compared to the previous year contract fee, but the blow has been sweetened by an additional US$500 for each win as well as a match fee bonus.

The match fee for Tests (US$1750) and one-day internationals (US$1250) will be increased by 50% for a win against one of the top four ranked sides in the world and 25% against the fifth to eighth best teams.

"This incentive-based remuneration package is equitable and was acceptable to the players," said BCCSL chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya. "They know that if they have a successful season they can earn more than the 30 percent which has been taken off their previous contract."

The move follows the announcement earlier in the week of a US$2.7 million loss in 2002 by the BCCSL. The players have also faced widespread criticism in the local media after their prolonged player contracts dispute prior to the World Cup.

The BCCSL also reduced the number of central contracts handed out in 2003 to 12 compared to the 15 awarded the previous year, after advice from the newly appointed selection panel.

"When we sat down to discuss the players to be given the contracts there were some who hadn't played that much in the previous year so we decided to cut down to 12," explained Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors. "But if players work hard, we can add them later on."

Contracted players Marvan Atapattu, Hashan Tillakaratne, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Dilhara Fernando, Kumar Dharmasena, Prabath Nissanka, Thilan Samaraweera.