A DARK DAY IN SRI LANKA’S CRICKET HISTORY

Yesterday evening the 3rd a black was inserted to the annals in the history of the game of cricket in Sri Lanka .Our cricketers took a stand in disagreeing to the decision of the SLC authorities with regard to their contract payments which were pruned. They were on the verge of taking a decision not to sign the new contracts which were made by the SLC. Finally they successfully made changes to the contract payments made by the SLC according to their suggestions.
The earlier contract expired on the 28th February and the deadline for the new contract had to be signed by the 2nd of March. Nevertheless not a single player bothered and took interest to sign the new contract by the 2nd of March. They abstained from signing and were like on a protest or a strike.
When 23 members of the National team and others were to sign the new agreements they were faced with a grave conflict. Furner skipper Mahela Jayawardena who was away on a holiday to Thailand was not bothered but two senior players Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga were at a strong decision in this regard.
However yesterday evening ( 2rd of March) the Chairman of the new selection Committee Sanath Jayasuriya was able to have a discussion with the contracted players and were able to resolve the matter by agreeing to a 78% and thereby resolved the conflict.
This conflict had begun it is learnt as the payments that were given to contracted players were reduced by the executive committee of the SLC in relation to the payments paid in the previous years had gin way to this conflict.
It was suggested to pay the players 68% of the 78% that is paid to the SLC by the ICC as match fees. It was also suggested to withdraw the facilities offered to the spouses of cricketer’s to travel in Business class travel plus other privileges offered once a year for a tour abroad. This was one other reason for them to decide in objecting to signing of this new agreement, they also did not want to the six groups in the contracted players’ category to be brought down to four categories.
The Minister of sports was at a firm stand had even decided to appoint a new captain and a new vice captain and form a new team altogether by leaving all those experienced players, Because of this stand made by the Minister may have prompted them to sign the contracts they had earlier refused to sign.
Before the First test against the visiting Bangladesh is scheduled to commence on the 8th of February. The first practice match commenced yesterday the 3rd of March at the Matara Uyanwatta Stadium. On the previous night Kunar Sabgakkara had travelled to Matara to be in the side. As he was not allowed to play he had come back to Colombo on the 3rd.
After the meeting on the 3rd late evening Sangakkara and his colleagues had come out of the SLS premises with smiling faces. Former World cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga expressed his views to the media angrily expressed about the demands of the players who fought for the business class travel for their spouses is a big joke. He went on to add that there are more important issues to address than this business class travel. He accused all the agents ansd managers of players who make these demands.
When considering the 68% percentage a senior player would receive about Rs 40 lakhs for a month while a junior player would receive a fee of about Rs 20 lakhs for a month. These payments are in addition to other payments they are to receive for playing in matches. But they fought saying it is not enough
Regarding this conflict what the Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had this to say...”.In other Test playing countries players are paid only 25% of the ICC payments. Our players are paid 69%.When they are paid very much over the payments made in other countries, they are demanding a further 10% more. This is not the payment for one pound of flesh but for a 1 ½ pound of flesh. For 8 of the senior players are paid around Rs 40 lakhs. Accordingly a sum of Rs 480 lakhs is paid.  For those who are paid less the total amount paid to them is Rs 240 lakhs. While paid such a large sum they are demanding a further 10%.Is it reasonable? Are we not spending for our under 19 team players? Who also travel overseas? We have to spend money for side pitches and for cricket equipment it is not only for the players payments but there are many expenses we have to meet.”