Sri Lankan cricketers’ salaries for series following the World Cup this year will be paid before December 15, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told parliament a short while ago. He said this in reply to a question raised in parliament by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayaka.

Aluthgamage stated that Sri Lanka is expecting to receive payments from the ICC to the tune of US$4.3million for co-hosting the World Cup and from that money the cricketers’ salary backlog would be settled before December 15.

Earlier today it was reported that the Sri Lankan Cricketers’ Association (SLCA) had contacted the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) seeking assistance over the delay in the cricketers’ salaries for series following the World Cup this year.

Sri Lanka have played three series since the end of the World Cup in April and the players are still awaiting payment, including match fees and contract payments. Tim May, the FICA chief executive, stated in a release that the association had been contacted to ensure the payments were made as soon as possible.

“We are aware that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is undergoing some cash flow difficulties at present as it awaits its final payment from the ICC for World Cup hosting fees,” May said. “But SLCA and FICA will be looking at possible ways of ensuring the monies owed by the ICC, which are due to be paid in late December 2011 or January 2012, are released with urgency, and on condition it is used to pay the players forthwith.”

May also expressed concern that the long wait for payments could lure players towards lucrative options such as playing in global Twenty20 tournaments, at the expense of playing for the country. “With the IPL and other Twenty20 competitions emerging as a realistic alternative to international cricket for players, the SLC urgently needs to address this situation with its players,” May said.

“The players have been incredibly patient to date and continued to play in the interests of their country, but this is now reaching a critical point.” The ICC is expected to disburse payments only after they complete the World Cup audit.