Kamindu Mendis hit the third century of his four-match test career to help steer Sri Lanka to a lead of 169 over England by lunch on Day 4, and into a winning position at Old Trafford.
The Sri Lankans were 291-6 in the first test on Saturday, with Mendis (101 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (62 not out) having added 87 runs either side of a 30-minute rain deferral in the wicket less first session.
Mendis hit two centuries and 92 not out against Bangladesh in March and has continued that form at the start of the three-match series against the English, whose grip on the test in Manchester has slipped after taking a lead of 122 runs after the first innings.
England was without Mark Wood on Saturday because of a thigh injury sustained late on Day 3 and the seam attack lacked a cutting edge without its most hostile fast bowler.
The partnership between Chandimal and Mendis moved onto 101 and they weren’t disconcerted by a brief stoppage because of a heavy downpour.
Sinhala 
English