The central contract list for the upcoming cricket season in 2026-27 has already been announced by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. The list features 46 cricketers who will be at the core of the national team setup in the upcoming year. The new contract list is effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, featuring some leading players in addition to several upcoming talents. Some major talents who were included in this list include Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka and Matheesha Pathirana.
Sri Lanka Cricket has been trying to maintain an optimal balance between experienced cricketers and young talents in their national team. This is why they divided players into different categories. Some of the most prominent categories in which cricketers are included are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and Central Contract category. Cricketers were classified based on their performance, consistency, potential, and overall contribution to the national setup.
Seven Players Earn First National Contracts as SLC Names 46-Member Pool
Sri Lanka Cricket confirms national player contracts for 2026-27
Sri Lanka Cricket announced that 46 cricketers have been awarded national contracts for the 2026-27 season. The contract period runs for 12 months, from April 2026 to March 2027. The board stated that players were placed into different contract tiers based on their performances, consistency levels and future value to the national teams. The structure includes A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1 categories, with the aim of rewarding established performers while also preparing the next generation of international cricketers. The contracted group is expected to play a central role in Sri Lanka’s upcoming bilateral assignments and long-term international plans.
Full 46-player squad
The contracted players are Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Niroshan Dickwella, Jeffrey Vandersay, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Sonal Dinusha, Sahan Arachchige, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundara, Nishan Madushka, Akila Dananjaya, Chamika Karunaratne, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Mohammed Shiraz, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera and Tharindu Ratnayake.
Seven players receive first national contracts
One of the major highlights of the release is that there are seven new additions to the list of those who have been granted national contracts. Players like Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, and Tharindu Ratnayake have all been awarded national contracts for the very first time. This move is clearly indicative of how Sri Lanka Cricket has tried hard to ensure that their talent pool remains strong. According to a statement released by the board, the new additions have been welcomed by the board and the latter was confident about the team achieving great things.
