Sri Lankan sacked coach Chandika Hathurusingha demands $5 mn compensation

While India and Sri Lanka are set to take the field for their first T20I at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, the visitors are faced with controversy. 

Their sacked coach Chandika Hathurusingha has demanded $5 million in compensation from Sri Lanka Cricket over the premature termination of his contract.

The former Islander Test star and coach made the claim after the two sides failed to agree on the terms of his termination last summer.

“He has sent a letter of demand asking for $5 million,” board secretary Mohan de Silva told AFP.

While details of the same were not immediately available, the Sunday Island newspaper said Hathurusingha had sought his full salary for the remaining 18 months of his contract which amounted to just over a million dollars.

He, however, has also claimed that his reputation as an international coach suffered due to the wrongful termination.

His claim of $5 million includes damages as well as the wages which are due to him.

According to the Island, the board had been willing to pay only six months’ salary as compensation, adding that the coach was in receipt of a take-home salary of $60,000 a month at the time of termination.

The sacking came after Sri Lanka’s disappointing World Cup, where they finished in sixth place.

According to the then sports minister Harin Fernando, he felt that Hathurusingha was being overpaid. He even accused him of failing to produce results.

Fernando said Sri Lanka could have hired a foreign coach at half the price paid to Hathurusingha.

Since the sacking, the Sri Lankan cricket has carried out a major revamp by appointing South Africa's Mickey Arthur as head coach in December.

Former Zimbabwe Test player Grant Flower has been appointed as the new national batting coach, Australian David Saker was made bowling coach while Shane McDermott was placed in charge of fielding training.

The board has not discussed the terms of their two-year contracts.