Sri Lankan players will be under greater pressure to perform

Sri Lankan cricket chiefs also reduced the number of players on central contracts from 15 to 12.

The cutbacks reflect the tightening purse strings of the BCCSL, which announced a �1.6m financial loss for 2002 earlier this week.

The 12 contracted players have been given only 70% of last year's base salary but will receive an additional �300 for each win as well as a match fee bonus.

The match fee for tests (�1060) and one-day internationals (�760) will be increased by 50% for a win against one of the top four ranked sides in the world and 25% against the fifth to eighth best teams.

"This incentive based remuneration package is equitable and was acceptable to the players," said BCCSL chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya.

"They know that if they have a successful season they can earn more than the 30% which has been taken off their previous contract," he added.

Contracted players: Marvan Atapattu, Hashan Tillakaratne, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Dilhara Fernando, Kumar Dharmasena, Prabath Nissanka, Thilan Samaraweera.