Leeds, England: Angelo Mathews was 79 not out as Sri Lanka reached lunch on 311-7, a healthy lead of 203 runs over England on day four of the second test at Headingley.
With the tourists resuming on 214, Mahela Jayawardene added 24 to his overnight total before edging a James Anderson delivery behind to Matt Prior for 79.
The 37-year old Jayawardene had edged Stuart Broad to Ian Bell at gully two overs earlier, but Bell could not hold on to the ball. Jayawardene was unable to punish England for the error and did not add to his score before Anderson took his wicket, breaking a valuable 92-run partnership.
Liam Plunkett then struck twice in as many balls. Dinesh Chandimal (7) was caught at deep square leg by Gary Ballance before Dhammika Prasad (0) was caught by Joe Root coming in from third man.
Plunkett was on his hat trick for the second time in as many innings, but Mathews denied him by pulling a short ball for a single. Rangana Herath was with Mathews at the crease, on seven.
Sri Lanka captain Mathews has been a hindrance to England again and will look to make his second century of the series after lunch. Since Herath joined him at the crease, he has batted intelligently, but still managed to smash a wide Plunkett delivery for six.
England took the new ball at the first opportunity, seven overs into the opening session, but failed to find enough swing to threaten Mathews. Despite taking the wicket of Jayawardene, Anderson has struggled to find a consistent line and Mathews has taken advantage, leading Sri Lanka into an increasingly strong position in the match.
