Sri Lanka gained control as the top order helped the hosts put on 276 runs on the rain-curtailed third day of the second test at Galle. Sri Lanka ended the day at 357 runs for the loss of one wicket scoring at a healthy run rate of 4.63 runs per over. The opening pair of Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka put on 228 runs before Karunaratne perished after completing a brisk century. Curtis Campher picked up the sole wicket for Ireland.
 
Bad light forced players off the field shortly before the scheduled tea. Rain forced a washout of the rest of the day's play allowing only 59 overs to be bowled. Madushka was not out on 149 while Mendis was batting on 83. The host had cruised to 81 runs yesterday at stumps in reply to Ireland's 492.