Sri Lanka's cricketers have arrived back home after winning the Asia Cup and walked straight into a contract dispute. The spokesman for Sri Lanka cricket told the BBC, the team only had a contract for the Indian tour.

	Politician turned cricket official Arjuna Ranatunge captained Sri Lanka when they won the World Cup.

The team's existing deal expired at the end of February and none of them have received a salary since then. A meeting is due to take place on Thursday between the players association and Sri Lanka cricket.

Asia cup winners

Sri Lanka's cricketers were garlanded with flowers as they arrived at Colombo's airport after victory in the finals of the Asia Cup. But the team has little time to celebrate, they've had to get straight back down to business.

Their contracts ran out at the end of February and none of them have received a salary since then. A spokesman for Sri Lanka cricket, Shane Fernando, told the BBC a meeting was due to take place between the board and players representatives on Thursday.

He said the delay in negotiating a new deal was because of a change of chairman and because the players had been out of the country on tour. Former World Cup winning captain turned politician Arjuna Ranatunga, is now in charge at Sri Lanka cricket.

Junior players had been receiving one of the lowest annual retainers in international cricket.

No pay due to no annual contract

The Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricketers Association Graham Labroy told the BBC, that the contracts were delayed due to continuing fixtures. "The contracts had expired in March. But, we are expecting a result after the meeting with management which is due on Thursday". Said Graham Labroy.

	Sanath and many others are playing in the Indian league.

Meanwhile, there are also concerns about a recently announced tour of England next April and May.

It as agreed after a tour by Zimbabwe was cancelled when the England and Wales Cricket Board cut off relations with the country. But, the fixtures clash with the second season of the lucrative Indian Premier League, in which many of Sri Lanka's best players have been expected to take part.

England tour clash

"Arjuna and Duleep Mendis had agreed to the fixtures with England when they had discussions in England. They will meet the players on Thursday and inform them. I know the players are concerned because of the Indian Premier League clashing with the tour". Labroy told the BBC.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Waas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Sanath Jayasuriya have links with Indian Premier League [IPL].