Sri Lanka Cricket awarded 41 international contracts for 2025-26 paying $50,000-$100,000 annually across six categories with A1 players including Wanindu Hasaranga and Dimuth Karunaratne commanding top-tier $100,000 retainers.
SLC doubled Test match fees from $7,500 to maximum $15,000 for victories while ODI/T20I rates increased 25% to $4,000 per game. The historic pay hike recognizes player contributions amid economic challenges with ICC ranking bonuses rewarding top-ranked batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders.
Angelo Mathews retired from Tests in 2025 ending 17-year career accumulating $5 million net worth through IPL deals and SLC contracts. Hasaranga leads active players with $3 million wealth built through ₹21.5 crore IPL earnings and global T20 franchise participation.
Explore comprehensive player biography and net worth data for Sri Lanka’s cricket roster.
| Player Name | Positions Name |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder |
| Charith Asalanka | All-rounder |
| Janith Liyanage | All-rounder |
| Milan Rathnayake | All-rounder |
| Chamika Gunasekara | All-rounder |
| Chamika Karunaratne | All-rounder |
| Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | All-rounder |
| Kamindu Mendis | Batsman |
| Pathum Nissanka | Batsman |
| Kusal Perera | Batsman |
| Angelo Mathews | Batsman |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | Wicket-keeper |
| Kusal Mendis | Wicket-keeper |
| Prabhath Jayasuriya | Bowler |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Bowler |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
| Dilshan Madushanka | Bowler |
| Kasun Rajitha | Right-arm medium-fast bowler |
| Dunith Wellalage | Left-arm orthodox spin bowler (all-rounder) |
| Dushan Hemantha | Right-arm leg-break bowler (All-rounder) |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | Left-handed opening batsman |
| Bhanuka Rajapakse | Left-handed batsman |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Right-handed batsman (All-rounder) |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Right-handed batsman |
| Mahesh Theekshana | Right-arm off-break bowler |
Top 10 Highest-Paid Sri Lanka Cricketers
A1 category players earn $100,000 annually plus performance-based match fees creating $150,000-$300,000 total compensation. IPL participation transforms retainers into $500,000-$1 million annual incomes for franchise-contracted players.
| Player | Role | SLC Category | Annual Retainer | Franchise Income | Total Earnings |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder | A1 | $100,000 | ₹10.75Cr IPL + LPL | $1.5M+ |
| Dimuth Karunaratne (c Tests) | Batsman | A1 | $100,000 | LPL $75K | $200,000+ |
| Pathum Nissanka | Batsman | A2 | $75,000 | LPL $40K | $150,000+ |
| Kusal Mendis | Wicketkeeper | A2 | $75,000 | LPL + IPL ₹75L | $180,000+ |
| Angelo Mathews (retired Tests) | All-rounder | A1 | $65,000 | BPL $75K | $150,000+ |
| Charith Asalanka (c ODI/T20I) | Batsman | B2 | $60,000 | LPL $50K | $130,000+ |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | All-rounder | B2 | $60,000 | LPL $45K | $125,000+ |
| Asitha Fernando | Fast bowler | B2 | $60,000 | LPL $35K | $115,000+ |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Spinner | C1 | $50,000 | LPL $40K | $110,000+ |
| Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder | C1 | $50,000 | LPL $45K | $115,000+ |
Hasaranga earned $1.5 million+ in 2024 combining $100,000 SLC A1 contract, ₹10.75 crore RCB IPL salary (2022-2023), and Lanka Premier League participation ($75,000-$100,000 annually).
His leg-spin specialty creates franchise demand generating 15x his SLC retainer.
Mathews’ Test retirement in June 2025 ended 17-year international career but maintained T20/ODI availability. His BPL Khulna Tigers contract ($75,000) supplements reduced SLC income creating $150,000 annual earnings.
Richest Sri Lanka Cricketers by Net Worth
Limited IPL access post-2021 T20 World Cup restricts wealth accumulation. Hasaranga and Mathews lead through strategic franchise commitments and endorsement portfolios.
| Player | Role | Estimated Net Worth | Age | Primary Wealth Source |
| Angelo Mathews | All-rounder | $5M (₹44Cr) | 38 | IPL + SLC + Real estate |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder | $3M (₹25Cr) | 28 | IPL + SLC + Endorsements |
| Pathum Nissanka | Batsman | $5M (₹41Cr) | 27 | SLC + LPL + Brands |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | Batsman | $2M (₹16Cr) | 37 | SLC 15-year career |
| Kusal Mendis | Wicketkeeper | $1.5M (₹12Cr) | 30 | SLC + LPL contracts |
Mathews built $5 million through IPL earnings totaling ₹24 crore across eight seasons (DD ₹7.5Cr peak 2015), SLC contracts generating $1.2 million over 17 years, and Colombo real estate portfolio valued ₹12 crore.
His luxury watch brand endorsements and BPL Khulna captaincy add $100,000 annually.
Hasaranga accumulated $3 million rapidly through ₹21.5 crore RCB IPL contracts (₹10.75Cr annually 2022-2023), SLC salary averaging $90,000 since 2019, and Lanka Premier League deals totaling $300,000+ combined.
His fitness brand partnerships and social media influencer status create $50,000 yearly supplementary income.
Nissanka’s $5 million stems from SLC contracts averaging $70,000 annually since 2021, Lanka Premier League Colombo Stars participation ($40,000 per season), and endorsements with Dialog Axiata and Sri Lankan brands generating $150,000 total.
SLC Central Contract Structure and Doubled Match Fees
Sri Lanka Cricket’s six-tier system pays $50,000-$100,000 across 41 players with historic Test fee doubling from $7,500 to $15,000 for victories recognizing format’s importance.
A1 Category ($100,000 – 4 players): Wanindu Hasaranga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews (pre-retirement), Kusal Perera.
A2 Category ($75,000 – 8 players): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne.
B2 Category ($60,000 – 10 players): Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya.
C1/C2 Categories ($50,000-$55,000 – 12 players): Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka, Lahiru Kumara.
‘A’ Team ($40,000 – 7 players): Emerging talent contracts.
Match Fees: Test $10,000-$15,000 (result-based), ODI $4,000, T20I $4,000.
India’s ₹7 crore ($832K) BCCI Grade A exceeds Sri Lanka’s $100,000 maximum by 8.3x. Pakistan’s $127,800 Category B trails SLC’s top tier demonstrating Sri Lanka’s competitive South Asian positioning.
Lanka Premier League and Limited Franchise Earnings
Lanka Premier League provides domestic earning pathways paying $35,000-$100,000 for marquee players. Limited IPL access post-2021 restricts global franchise income to occasional opportunities.
LPL Salaries: Platinum category $75,000-$100,000, Diamond $50,000-$75,000, Gold $35,000-$50,000 per season.
IPL 2025: Wanindu Hasaranga (unsold after RCB release), Kusal Mendis (GT – ₹75 lakh replacement), Matheesha Pathirana (CSK – ₹20 lakh).
Bangladesh Premier League: Angelo Mathews (Khulna Tigers – $75,000), Dasun Shanaka (Comilla Victorians – $50,000).
Combined LPL and occasional franchise tournaments generate $50,000-$150,000 supplementary income for Sri Lanka’s top 10 players. Hasaranga’s absence from IPL 2025 eliminated ₹10 crore+ earning potential demonstrating franchise income volatility.
FAQs
Who is Sri Lanka’s highest-paid cricketer?
Wanindu Hasaranga earns $1.5 million+ annually when IPL contracted, combining $100,000 SLC A1 retainer, ₹10.75 crore RCB salary (2022-2023), and $75,000-$100,000 Lanka Premier League deals. His absence from IPL 2025 reduced total income to $250,000 from SLC and LPL only.
How much does SLC pay centrally contracted players?
SLC awards 41 contracts across six categories: A1 ($100K – 4 players), A2 ($75K – 8 players), B2 ($60K – 10 players), C1/C2 ($50K-$55K – 12 players), ‘A’ Team ($40K – 7 players). Match fees add $4,000-$15,000 creating total compensation $120,000-$250,000 annually.
Why did SLC double Test match fees?
SLC increased Test fees from $7,500 to maximum $15,000 for victories (66% hike for draws, 33% for losses) recognizing format’s importance amid T20 franchise competition. The 100% victory bonus incentivizes winning Test cricket performances boosting ICC rankings.
Which Sri Lankan cricketers are in IPL 2025?
Two Sri Lankans secured IPL 2025 contracts: Kusal Mendis (GT – ₹75 lakh replacement for Jos Buttler), Matheesha Pathirana (CSK – ₹20 lakh). Wanindu Hasaranga went unsold after RCB release despite ₹21.5 crore previous earnings creating income crisis.
What is Angelo Mathews’ total net worth?
Angelo Mathews’ net worth stands at $5 million accumulated through eight IPL seasons earning ₹24 crore total, SLC contracts generating $1.2 million over 17 years, BPL Khulna Tigers captaincy, and Colombo real estate portfolio valued ₹12 crore creating sustainable post-retirement wealth.
