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The dispute between the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and its players has been a long standing one. However, it has only grown in the last few months and it is also being reflected on the field with the team not being able to put up a fight against top-quality world opponents. Although no Sri Lankan cricketer has been left unaffected by the feud, the worst hit are the younger players as they have not received any payment since January 2021.
These players have now reportedly written to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), saying that they are ready to sign the annual contract, which is at the centre of the entire dispute. The players have urged the board to clear their dues as some of them are facing a massive financial crunch.
It should be noted that currently, the cricketers from the island country have received a tour-to-tour contract implying that the players only get paid for the series in which they are selected in. Those missing out a place in the side do not receive any remuneration. The same has been the case for the ongoing India series with players getting picked in the series only getting paid.
We have not been paid since 1st of January 2021: Players in a letter to SLC
"As you are aware, we have not been paid since 1st of January 2021 in view of the newly-introduced evaluation system which, when finally was out in March 2021, the players were unclear of the methodology adopted, giving rise to the request that it be given in writing," players have written to SLC as per a report claimed in The Morning Sri Lanka.
The junior players have been caught in the crossfire between the seniors and the board. Not only were the seniors first to indulge in the dispute themselves, but they also took along with them the juniors, in the goodwill of Sri Lanka Cricket. However, the same hasn't been appreciated by former players like Muttiah Muralitharan.
The legendary off-spinner has, in fact, accused senior players like Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews of convincing others to protest as they were getting pay cuts under the new system. This led to Karunaratne and Mathews writing a lengthy letter to Muralitharan even terming his comments "unprofessional." The entire saga has become a blame game with no concrete resolution looking nearby.