Sri Lanka's hopes of winning the second Test against India faded further as the tourists dominated on day three.

Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar helped restrict Sri Lanka to just 265-8 at stumps, trailing India by 238 runs in Colombo.

Sri Lanka began the third day on 8-2, though Kamil Mishara (19) fell quickly to Prasidh (3-47), who also removed Kamindu Mendis (32) in the first session.

Prasindu Sooriyabandara (80) frustrated India before being bowled by Ravindra Jadeja (1-45), while Suthar (3-83) sent Dhananjaya de Silva (8) and Keshara Nuwantha (18) back to the stands.

Sonul Dinusha (85 not out), who has been Sri Lanka's star batter in this series, helped the hosts get past the 200-run mark on a difficult day, with Lahiru Kumara (8 not out) defending bravely at the other end.

Kumara was given out in the final session after India threatened with the second new ball, but an lbw call was immediately reviewed by the tailender, who got an inside edge on the delivery and stayed at the crease.

Stumps!

Rain brings an end to Day 3 in Colombo 

Sri Lanka 265/8 in the first innings, trail by 238 runs

Scorecard  https://t.co/r9FgXSdsMf#TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/cc3dtY64ek

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 25, 2026

Dinusha stakes his claim

Sri Lanka's batting struggles were on show again; two of the five batters to face at least 50 balls were tailenders (Nuwantha and Kumara).

Dinusha, however, playing in just his fifth Test, is doing all he can to ensure he remains in the side ahead of their two-match series against Pakistan in November.

Against India, Dinusha has scored 269 runs so far at an average of 134.5, scoring two half-centuries and one ton to spare Sri Lanka's blushes in an otherwise demoralising series.

Many of their woes have been inflicted by Suthar, who has now taken 13 wickets in this series at an average of 16.5; he has taken at least three wickets in all three of Sri Lanka's batting innings so far.