Sri Lanka moved themselves into a commanding position on day three of the third and deciding Test against Pakistan at Kandy.
The tourists resumed on 209 for nine but could only add six runs to trail by 63 on first innings, although they had some hope when they reduced Sri Lanka to 80 for four.
But captain Angelo Mathews scored an unbeaten 77, ably assisted by Jehan Mubarak and Dinesh Chandimal as the hosts moved on to 228 for five, a lead of 291.
Pakistan's first innings survived just two overs on the third morning, Tharindu Kaushal taking his third wicket of the innings with a straighter ball that removed Imran Khan for nought and left Sarfraz Ahmed stranded on 78 not out.
There was a small delay due to rain but when Sri Lanka did get out to the middle, they lost first-innings centurion Dimuth Karunaratne for 10 thanks to a jaffa from Rahat Ali that hit off stump.
Kaushal Silva went for three next over as he edged Ehsan Adil to Masbah-ul-Haq at first slip with the third umpire having a look to make sure it carried and Sri Lanka were 22 for two.
Upul Tharanga then found the boundary rope twice but Lahiru Thirimanne was next to go from another beauty from Rahat, the outswinger beating the batsman all ends up for a duck.
Mathews and Tharanga then put on 45 either side of lunch before the latter was gone for a highly useful 48 from 47 balls, bat-pad off Yasir Shah well taken by Azhar Ali at short-leg.
That brought Mubarak to the crease and he and Mathews built the stand that may well have taken the game away from the tourists.
They added 81 in 28 overs with a short rain delay before Yasir invited Mubarak forward on 35 and the inside edge went to Azhar at short leg.
Mathews had gone to his half-century in 104 balls and while Chandimal was more aggressive reaching an unbeaten 39, the pair were still together having put on 67 when bad light brought an end to proceedings.
Source: PA
