Chandika Hathurusingha grabs a deal worth Rs. 6 million

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has offered newly appointed coach Chandika Hathurusingha a deal worth over Rs. 6 Million a month. The salary package for him is higher than what former coach Graham Ford made. Ford is believed to have received between Rs. 1-2 Million a month, which in comparison seems paltry now that the package for Hathurusingha has been revealed.

According to the Sunday Leader, the deal was approved by the President of the cricket board Thilanga Sumathipala. Hathurusingha is regarded as one of the most innovative brains in the game. His first assignment will be when Sri Lanka tour Bangladesh.

Interestingly, he was not in good terms with the Bangladesh cricket team as head coach at the time he was approached by the Sri Lanka board and it will be interesting to see how the Lankans perform under his guidance knowing that his insights would be useful since he has watched the Bangladeshi players closely.

Hathurusingha had negotiated the deal with Sri Lanka and Sumathipala had then negotiated with the Bangladesh cricket board to release him from his contract with Bangladesh.

However, the news has been received with mixed reactions. Most people think he is underqualified to mint Rs. 6 million a month. Some fans also think it would have been a better idea to decide the contract price after the next tour. This belief stems out from his novel involvement towards the Sri Lankan cricket coach, the board approval of the amount could have been decided the tour.

According to them, it would be better to see his commitment towards a winning team rather than award him with a contract of high value. If he proves that he is capable of changing the team’s performance within the first two tours then the amount agreed would be valuable. There are also people who think this is a good move as it gives financial security and a motivation to do his job well the moment he takes it up.