Sri Lanka arrive in India for ODI series, but not before contract dispute

Marvan Atapattu

Sri Lanka are currently playing a warm-up game on Thursday, ahead of the ODI series versus India that begins on Sunday. They reached India on Tuesday night but not before sorting out a few problems of their own. Sri Lankan head coach Marvan Atapattu had boarded the flight without signing his full employment contract due to a disagreement over the benefits that were provided in the original contract offered by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Contract not finalised

Sources have said that the 43-year old had threatened to travel as an Assistant Coach with the team as the board had not finalised on a fixed contract before the series.

However, another official had informed the Daily Mirror that the former skipper had been handed a full appointment letter for two years as a national coach and once the team returns from the India tour, the final contract terms between the parties will be agreed upon.

SLC executive Ashley De Silva had on Tuesday, informed the executive members of the SLC that SLC President Jayantha Dharmadasa was not in favour of making changes to the original contract.

“As per the discussion the President had with me while ago, he has expressed his displeasure of Marvan’s failure to sign the contract as per the terms which has been mutually agreed by both parties. The President has insisted that Marvan should proceed on the Tour as the Head Coach and there should not be any compromise,” de Silva wrote to ExCo members.

Atapattu wants improved package

Atapattu had initially been offered a package that included a monthly salary of 1.3 million SLR along with all the other components that are part of the cadre.

However, the new agreement that was offered to him earlier this month didn't impress him much. The board then had to make some additions to the contract by providing an EXIT clause at the end of one year.

Atapattu had sent his own draft that was significantly different to the one given to him by the SLC.

“It was manifested that Marvan had added/reinforced clauses to cover his best interests,” de Silva stated.

The SLC contract had services that included a meal allowance, a SLC maintained car, 150 litres of petrol, standard tour per-diems, incentive bonuses, mobile phone and monthly allowance, laptop with dongle, etc. in addition to the monthly salary of Rs. 1.3 million.

In addition to the above-mentioned favours, Atapattu had demanded a further travelling benefit of Rs. 50,000, an SLC Maintained brand new car commensurate with his status, Rs. 2.6 million holiday package benefit for the contractual period and a ten percent increment upon completion of one-year in the job.

A performance review at the end of one-year had also been included by the SLC, but Atapattu wanted that clause to be removed.