The domestic central contracts for the 2016/17 year were presented to more than 80 cricketers by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) at a special function organized at the Sports Ministry auditorium on Thursday evening.

The main feature of the presentation was providing a financial grant of Rs. 200,000 to 16 talented cricketers who are aged 18-20. Almost all of these players have represented Sri Lanka at the U19 level while a few of them have gone onto represent Sri Lanka in Test, ODI and ‘A’ team cricket.

“I am extremely grateful to SLC for providing us these financial benefits because it is not easy for most of us to buy cricket gear. “ Charith Asalanka said.

All the players in the Youth, Emerging and Senior category will be remunerated Rs. 40,000, Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 100,000 respectively each month. These players have been picked by a special committee having taken into consideration age, national representation and domestic performances in 2015/16.

“The backbone of our cricket, domestic cricket and schools cricket should be prioritized and improved. That is the main reason why we have offered these contracts in order to gradually strengthen our domestic cricket structure.” Sri Lanka Cricket President, Thilanga Sumathipala said during the presentation ceremony.

All these players will be under a special insurance cover and will be eligible to use all the available resources at each stadium governed by SLC. After the initial announcement of 65 annual domestic contracts in October, SLC has made a few amendments and added some of the players who missed out on the first cut.

“We need experienced players in our domestic set up. They should not migrate to England and Australia to play cricket. They should play domestic cricket in Sri Lanka for the betterment of our game. This new concept of financially stabilizing the schools cricketers and aging players is a commendable act by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).” Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara shared his views.

U20

Charith Asalanka, Lahiru Kumara, Avishka Fernando, Vishad Randika, Sammu Ashan, Asitha Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilan Jayalath, Lasith Embuldeniya, Kamindu Mendis, Sanjula Abeywickrama, Pathum Nissanka, Ashen Bandara, Navindu Nirmal, Damitha Silva, Krishan Sanjula.

Youth

Manoj Sarathchandra, Kavindu Kulasekara, Sadeera Samarawickrama Ramesh Mendis, Priyamal Perera, Sahan Nanayakkara, Lahiru Milantha, Minod Bhanuka, Pabasara Waduge, Lasith Abeyrathne, Sandun Weerakkody, Tharindu Rathnayake, Angelo Jayasinghe, Anuk Fernando, Shehan Madushanka, Hashan Dumindu, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Kasun Rajitha

Emerging

Angelo Perera, Maduka Liyanapathirana, Sanjaya Chathuranga, Lahiru Madushanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Umesh Karunarathne, Tharindu Kaushal, Gamindu Kanishka, Mohommad Dilshad, Kasun Madushanka, Rumesh Buddhika, Vimukthi Perera, Denuwan Rajakaruna, Dilshan Munaweera, Madawa Warnapura, Malinda Pushpakumara, Sachithra Serasinghe, Prabath Jayasuriya, Shalika Karunanayake, Shehan Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Ramith Rambukwella, Udara Jayasundara, Chathuranga De Silva, Ashan Priyanjan, Chaminda Bandara, Lahiru Gamage, Isuru Udana.

Senior

Mahela Udawatta, Jeewan Mendis, Farveez Maharoof, Suraj Randiv, Jehan Mubarak, Nisal Randika, Chamara Silva, Tharanga Paranavithana, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Hasantha Fernando, Kosala Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga, Sachithra Senanayake, Harsha Vithana, Gayan Sirisoma, Dinuk Hettiarachchi, Thilina Thushara Mirando, Dilhara Fernando, TN Sampath, Charitha Buddhika, Asela Gunarathne, Nadeera Nawala.

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