[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Sri Lankan cricket board have finalized the new contracts to the players for the next 14 months. 34 players have been included in 5 categories as some notable players have been discarded.
These 34 players have been drafted into five categories, highest being Category A and the lowest being Primary. In category A, Angelo Mathews have secured the highest pay, a sum of US$ 130,000. Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, National Discard Dinesh Chandimal and National T20 skipper Lasith Malinga.
In category B, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis have earned the highest base prize of US$ 70,000. Niroshan Dickwella and Dananjaya De Silva is also included in the same category with a lower base price. A notable inclusion is Dilruwan Perera who has been in an out of the test squad for quite sometime.
Akila Dhanajaya who was banned for a year by ICC for his action have secured a highest base price of US$ 50,000 in Category D while youngsters Lahiru Kumara and Avishka Perera secure contracts in the same category for a lower pay.
The lowest category which is the Primary category have 11 players. Few notable discards are Former National Captain Upul Tharanga, A Team skipper Ashan Priyanjan and youngsters Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis. Bhanuka Rajapaksha who burst into the scene in Pakistan have also failed to secure a national contract.
SLC have also increased the match fee for first class matches from Rs. 7500 to Rs, 12000 this year, hoping the players would keep playing First class without leaving country.
Category A (5 players)
US$ 130,000 – Angelo Mathews
US$ 100,000 – Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal
US$ 80,000 – Dinesh Chandimal
US$ 70,000 – Lasith Malinga
Category B (5 players)
US$ 70,000 – Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera
US$ 52,500 – Niroshan Dickwella. Dananjaya de Silva
US$ 50,000 – Dilruwan Perera
Category C (3 players)
US$ 50,000 – Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera
US$ 35,000 – Lahiru Thirimanne
Category D (10 players)
US$ 50,000 – Akila Dananjaya
US$ 40,000 – Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana
US$ 35,000 – Danushka Gunathilleka, Lahiru Kumara
US$ 30,000 – Dushmantha Chameera, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka
US$ 25,000 – Roshen Silva, Vishwa Fernando
Premier Category (11 players)
US$ 25,000 – Wanindu Hasaranga
US$ 20,000 – Sadeera Samarawickrema, Amila Aponso, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Ambuldeniya
US$ 15,000 – Jeffery Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
