Discussions between Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials and the national team have reached a favourable position with the players reportedly agreeing to sign a tour declaration ahead of the tour of England, only if a transparency clause is added to the declaration.
As per reports, the issue pertaining to their annual contracts is to be resolved after the completion of the tour.
They had raised concerns particularly over a transparency clause in their annual contracts which had been drawn up by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration.
Earlier today, a tense meeting was held at the Taj Samudra Hotel between Sri Lankan cricketers and SLC officials regarding the contract issue.
Cricketers make many sacrifices & ICC pays to look after them. Performance incentive is a must, but with a decent pay, as they hold the fort. SLC will only benefit if team plays competitive cricket & are given a decent pay, instead of making them suffer when they reach the helm. https://t.co/xGvlWurgaA
— Harin Fernando (@fernandoharin) June 7, 2021
The cricketers had initially refused to sign the contracts issued for the England tour over transparency issues in the new annual contracts, but had agreed to play the tournament even without payment.
“I think we have reached an agreement with the players now. They will tour England,” a Senior SLC official told NewsWire.
The Lawyer representing Sri Lankan cricketers Nishan Premathiratne told NewsWire that the players will sign the England tour declaration if the transparency clause is included in the document.
“The players have suggested a clause seeking for transparency to be given at the end of the tour, which has been proposed to Sri Lanka Cricket, or some form of undertaking that the sheets of assessment will be disclosed to the players once they return, and in the event of an issue, for a model on performance and fitness to be devised,” Premaratne said. (NewsWire)