Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced new central contract for the 2016-17 season and they have included as many as 30 national cricketers in the new central contracts. The base salary offered on the current deal will be less than the previous system but Sri Lanka cricket board has promised more lucrative rewards which will come in performances related bonuses. There are five categories in central contract and the top category cricketers will get base salary of around $125,000 a year followed by $80,000 for category 2, $60,000 for category 3, $40,000 for category 4 and last but not the least $20,000 for category 5.
The new system focuses more on performances related bonuses and although the deal is yet to be signed by Sri Lanka cricketers, local reports suggest both parties SLC and players association has already verbally agreed the deal. According to new deal 33% of total board’s income will be distributed in players salaries. Below table shows the categories in central contract system and how the players will be compensated.
| Categories | Retainer Fee | Test Fee | ODI Fee | T20 FEE |
| Category 1 | $125,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Category 2 | $80,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Category 3 | $60,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Category 4 | $40,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Category 5 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
Performances Related Bonuses: Above table shows the guaranteed salary and match fees set to be paid to central contracted players regardless of the results. But SLC has introduced new performance related bonuses which include 100% increase in match fee if player scores a century or take 5-wicket haul.
- 100% increase in test match fee of all players if team manage to win test match.
- $5,000 bonus for scoring a century or taking 5-wicket haul in test matches.
- $5,000 bonus for scoring a century or taking 5-wickets in a ODI match
- $2,500 bonus for scoring century or taking 5-wickets in T20.
SLC has also announced contracts for Domestic circuit players which include list of 70 players on the domestic front who has performed consistently over the past year. These players are from Sri Lanka “A”, under-23s and other domestic tournaments. Domestic contracted players will be paid between Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 1.2 million a year depending on their respective categories and performances.