Roshan Mahanama to Step Down as International Cricket Council Match Referee
Roshan Mahanama served almost 12 years as an International Cricket Council elite panel referee. His assignments included three Cricket World Cups.
Roshan Mahanama's long innings as an International Cricket Council elite panel match referee will finish by the end of 2015. The former Sri Lankan batsman served 12 years in this position and officiated in three Cricket World Cups. (Click here for latest Cricket stories)
Mahanama joined the elite panel in 2004 and has refereed in 58 Tests, 222 ODIs and 35 T20Is to date. Apart from the World Cups Mahanama also refereed the ICC Champions Trophy 2009.
He has made the decision to step down six months ahead of the expiry of his contract so that he can spend more time with his family and also focus on the development of his business activities in Sri Lanka.
"This has been an extremely difficult decision as I am very passionate about cricket, which has been an integral part of my life for over 40 years as a cricketer, coach and ICC match referee," said the 49-year-old Mahanama.
He continued: "However, in life a time comes when one has to keep moving forward based on obligations and priorities. My time has come to devote an uninterrupted focus and attention to my family, who made massive sacrifices over the years to enable me to pursue my career for over three decades.
"The journey for almost 12 years as an ICC match referee has been amazing and something for me to reflect upon with pride and satisfaction. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some outstanding professionals, refereed at some great matches and visited some incredible places along the way.
"I would like to thank the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket for affording me the opportunity to be involved in almost 600 internationals of the game I so passionately love," said Mahanama.
As a cricketer, Mahanama represented Sri Lanka in 52 Tests and 213 One-Day Internationals from 1986 to 1999. He played in four ICC Cricket World Cups and was a member of the Sri Lanka side that triumphed over Australia in the 1996 final in Lahore. He also captained Sri Lanka in two One-Day Internationals.
Mahanama's replacement in the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees will be announced in due course.