Sri Lanka's [Images] cricket board has awarded central contracts to 11 players, including fast bowler Lasith Malinga [Images] and spinner Rangana Herath for the first time.

Several injury-prone pace bowlers including Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Kulasekera have missed out although the board has suggested it will shortly increase the number of contracts handed out.

The players signed the one-year deals on the morning of the first test between West Indies [Images] after several weeks of negotiations with the cricket board.

The previous year's contract expired at the end of February and renewal was delayed by four months due to the instability within the administration and player concerns over clauses relating to personal endorsements.

Contracted players:

Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya [Images], Mahela Jayawardene [Images], Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas [Images], Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Upul Chandana.