England was heading toward a series-clinching victory over Sri Lanka in the second test at Lord's on Sunday after taking the key wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne just before lunch on Day 4.
Chasing a world-record 483 for victory at the home of cricket, the Sri Lankans reached lunch at 136-4 and still needing 347 more runs.
Resuming on 53-2, the tourists lost nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya (4) — who edged Chris Woakes to second slip — before a 55-run partnership between opener Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews provided some resistance to England.
Karunaratne reached a half-century for the 54th time in tests before he tried to fend off a rising delivery from fast bowler Olly Wood and flicked it off his glove behind to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for 55.
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Mathews was 34 not out alongside Dinesh Chandimal, who was unbeaten on 15.
England won the first test in Manchester last week. The third and final match of the series start at The Oval on Friday.
England, which has already beaten the West Indies 3-0 this summer, has had centuries in both innings by Joe Root in this test.