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Former Sri Lankan cricketer Ranjan Madugalle is one of the most revered names in the cricketing fraternity, given his exploits as a disciplinarian at the highest level. Madugalle, who currently serves as the Chief of the panel of ICC match referees, was born on this very day in Kandy in the year 1959. 

A top-order batter by trade, Ranjan Madugalle made his international debut for Sri Lanka in an ODI against fellow Asian outfit India in 1979. Almost three years later, he represented the Sri Lankan team in the longest format of the game for the first time against England in 1982.

The stylish right-hand batter was one of the regular features of the Test side in the 80s, but never really grabbed the limelight as he finished his career with less than 2000 international runs and just one century to his name for Sri Lanka. He represented the Sri Lankan team in 63 ODIs and 21 Tests along with leading the side more than a dozen times.

Following his retirement at the young age of 29, the Sri Lankan was appointed as a match referee by the International Cricket Council in 1993. Impressed by his work ethics, ICC promoted him to the position of chief match referee in 2001. As a match referee, Madugalle has officially taken part in most international matches to date, 564. He still holds the record for taking part in most ODIs as a match referee and was the match referee for the dramatic 2019 World Cup final.  

He also holds the record for most Test matches as a referee and is only behind Jeff Crowe in the list of most involvement in T20Is as a match referee. The Sri Lankan currently heads the panel, which features David Boon, Chris Broad, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.