Cricketers to be paid by Jan 15 - minister

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday stated that all allowances that are to be paid to Sri Lankan cricketers will be paid before January 15.

He also said that there was no possibility of paying their allowances as a sum of Rs 640 million that the ICC owed to Sri Lanka was not settled on the due date. That amount is to be paid to Sri Lanka very soon by the ICC. The minister made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): It is revealed that the cricketers have not been paid for the past 5 to 6 months. This has brought pressure on the cricketers impacting, their performance, which was visibly seen in Dubai, and even more, disrepute to Sri Lankan cricket administration. Can the minister please reveal as to when the cricketers will be paid?

R Yogarajan (UNP): Please take measures to pay the salaries of the cricketers. Mahindananda Aluthgamage (Sports Minister): The ICC has agreed to pay US $ two million to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. By next week, we will receive Rs 240 million to pay the salaries of cricketers. We will pay all the allowances of cricketers by January 15 next year. We will not allow the game of cricket to suffer. All measures will be taken to overcome all financial problems.