By P. Karunakharan. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 12:01 AM IST

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Thursday 'amicably resolved' the issue of players' contract that has remained a dispute since March this year.

'We are pleased to announce that the annual contracts for the year 2008-09 have been finalised amicably and would be signed by the players by mid of next week,' the Sri Lankan Cricketers Association (SLCA), which looks after the interests of the players, said in a statement Thursday.

It said the SLC and SLCA along with the national players 'discussed several developments related to the annual fees, match payments and the player welfare aspect as well'.

'SLC was keen to provide (pay) increase for the junior players and also encourage non-contract players to get into the senior ranking by way of higher match fees,' the SLCA said, describing the move as a 'very encouraging one'.

There was no immediate reaction from the players' association in this regard.

Sri Lankan cricketers, who registered their first Asia Cup win overseas after beating India at the finals in Lahore Sunday, returned home Wednesday.

At a reception hosted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees Wednesday, the players have reportedly discussed many issues related to future of cricket in the island nation.

According to reports, the players have urged President Rajapaksa to help rescheduling 'the hastily arranged Test tour of England' as the itinerary clashes with the lucrative Indian Premier League 2009.

The Sri Lankan cricketers had taken part in the Asia Cup tournament in the absence of player contracts and the cricketers put the financial matters to concentrate on playing the tournament.

Annual player contracts, according to regulations, should have been finalised by March 31.

By P. Karunakharan (Staff Writer, © IANS)