Sri Lanka women stars 'jobless'

By Saroj Pathirana
BBC Sinhala

Shashikala Siriwardene pictured at the Asia Cup in 2005

Five members of Sri Lanka's women's cricket team claim to have lost their day jobs because they refused to give up their cricket careers.

They include the captain Shashikala Siriwardene, a human resources assistant for clothing firm Slimline.

Siriwardene told the BBC: "They told me to chose either cricket or the job."

Her team-mates Chamari Polgampola, Sripali Weerakkody, Chamika Bandara and Dilani Manodara have also been made jobless by the same company.

Siriwardene said her employers had previously been supportive: "For over two and a half years, the company helped me - offering duty leave, transport, medicine and sports facilities."

Unlike their male counterparts, Sri Lanka's women get no financial assistance, whether from the national cricket board or sponsors.

However Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has pledged to find the players new jobs, Siriwardene explained.

Slimline's HR director, Shanaz Freena, said the players had voluntarily submitted their resignations.

"They submitted their resignations saying they got some other job offers and the team wanted to stay together. We just accepted their resignations," she said.

The team are preparing for their second international tournament this year, against West Indies.

"Money is not the main concern. We are currently focused on winning against international teams and developing ourselves," added Siriwardene.

"We would like to see Sri Lankan fans come out to support us against West Indies."