The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka has initiated a Benefit Fund for Umpires in Sri Lanka, to reward umpires who have served the game at the highest levels.

There is currently a similar scheme, in association with the Cricketers Benefit Fund of Sharjah, which provides benefits to players who have represented the country.

It is expected that umpires from as far back as the late 1950's to the present day will benefit from this scheme. The amounts to be disbursed would be from a minimum of Rs. 100,000/=. A basis for distribution of funds has already been drawn up, which takes into account the number of matches officiated in, and the time frame that the umpire has served. In the case of deceased umpires, payments would be made to their widows.

The scheme covers umpires who have officiated in All Ceylon and Ceylon One-Day matches, All Ceylon and Ceylon Unofficial Test matches, Sri Lanka Unofficial Test matches, Sri Lanka One-Day matches prior to Test status, Sri Lanka Test matches, Sri Lanka One-Day-Internationals, other international Test and Limited Overs matches recognized by the ICC, and "A' Team Tests and One-Day-Internationals in the Test era.

The date of the first awards would be decided when the scheme is finalized in the near future. (BCCSL Media Release)

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