where the pink ball was used for the first time as well. He also served as a match referee at the 2020 Pakistan Super League and 2021 Pakistan Super League. Coaching In 2001, he was appointed as manager and head coach of Sri Lanka A team and Development squad. International Centuries As an opener in the first few years at career, Mahanama was later moved to middle order rigid batsmen with the new openers Romesh Kaluwitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya due to the revolutionized batting display gave them the permanent opening positions. Anyway, until retirement, Mahanama has scored 4 Test centuries and 4 ODI centuries. Outside cricket He used to run pharmaceutical distribution business in Sri Lanka and also owns several startups including Zamon, an app which enables the consumers to order coffee and food from connected cafes. He was appointed as the brand ambassador of Hemas Outreach Foundation. In 2017, following the request of Mahanama the Sri Lanka Army sponsored the establishment of Roshan Mahanama Primary School in Vavuniya. In the face of the 2022 economic crisis, Mahanama distributed meals to people waiting in the queue for fuel. He appealed to his fellow citizens to stand up together and care for each other in the face of this extraordinary crisis. Controversy In his autobiography Retired Hurt which was published in 2001, he claimed that former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath racially abused veteran Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya by calling him as "black monkey" during an ODI match between Sri Lanka and Australia in 1996. However, Glenn McGrath and Cricket Australia denied the allegations of racial abuse while McGrath also went onto threaten Mahanama that he would seek legal action against the book's release. Former Australian cricketers Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh also ruled out the allegations calling Mahanama's claim as a publicity stunt. See also Elite Panel of ICC Referees References External links President To Honor Sri Lankan Cricketers (1 Nov 1996) National Awards Conferred by His Excellency the President of Sri Lenka Deshabandu Roshan Mahanama – a gentleman to his finger tips 1966 births Living people Sri Lanka One Day International cricketers Sri Lanka Test cricketers Sri Lankan cricketers Sri Lankan cricket captains Basnahira North cricketers Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club cricketers Colombo Cricket Club cricketers Alumni of Nalanda College, Colombo Cricket match referees Wayamba cricketers Kandurata cricketers Cricketers at the 1987 Cricket World Cup Cricketers at the