Sri Lanka Cricket – a billion rupees richer

By Marlon Fernandopulle

The Coffers of the cash strapped Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will swell by over a billion Sri Lankan rupees shortly when the island receives its due entitlement for participating in the World Cup and for emerging as runners-up in the tournament.

A top official of Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed to The Sunday Times that Sri Lanka will receive US $ 8.5 million as participation fees. ‘‘As one of the test playing nations this is our entitlement for participating at the World Cup” The Sunday Times learns that part of this money will be re-distributed among the world cup players while the balance will be utilized for the development of the game. SLC expects this money next month.

In addition to this amount Sri Lanka, who emerged as runners –up in the tournament pocketed US $ 1 million as prize money and also collected a further sum of money for wining three games in the first round and five games in the super eight round.It is believed that the financial position of SLC in 2006 was not satisfactory. This was mainly due to the reduced income on account of the cancellation of a triangular tournament last year featuring South Africa and India. The final Accounts of Sri Lanka Cricket for the year 2006 is to be finalized shortly.

However this year(2007) SLC will be on a better wicket following the income of approximately US $ 10 million (SL Rs.1100 million) from the world cup and the expected revenue from England’s tour to Sri Lanka later this year.

Moody to decide

Meanwhile Coach Tom Moody is expected to meet the hierarchy of Sri Lanka Cricket today and discuss his future. The former Australian cricketer ends his contract with SLC this month but is widely speculated to remain with the team for a further period following his success in the last two years.

Under Tom Moody's guidance Sri Lankans have had a fine run overseas. They swiped out England 5-0 in an ODI series while drawing the Test series 1-1 in the summer of 2006. Earlier this year they drew 2-2 in an ODI series in New Zealand before capping off the season with a World Cup final appearance.

Moody was appointed Sri Lanka's national coach in 2005 succeeding John Dyson, the former Australian batsman. He has been linked with Western Australia, the Australian state side, after his contract with Sri Lankan expires.