Malinda Pushpakumara and Dilruwan Perera shared five wickets between them to restrict the England Lions to 112/6 after conceding a 149 run first innings lead early on day 2 of the 1st Unofficial Test.
Sri Lanka A resuming from their overnight score of 29/4 recovered partially to get to 167 all out thanks to a counter attacking half century by Sandun Weerakkody who was unbeaten on 15 overnight.
He made 68 off just 73 balls, inclusive of 10 fours and was involved in a crucial 51 run partnership for the sixth wicket with Dilruwan Perera, who also chipped in with 37.
The hero from day one, Toby Roland-Jones added two more wickets to his tally to end up with four wickets while Ollie Rayner picked up 3/27.
The visitors were driving home the advantage in the second innings after being well placed at 71/3, but Malinda Pushpakumara picked up three wickets in quick succession to have them on the ropes at 85/6 before the Curran brothers brought back some stability before close with an unbroken 27 run partnership.
Pushpakumara picked up 3/28 while right arm off spinner Dilruwan Perera picked up 2/42.
England Lions skipper Keaton Jennings, who debuted for England with a brilliant century against India a few weeks back, batted patiently for 37 runs off 88 balls but was the last man out for the day to leave the game in the balance.
Play will resume tomorrow in Pallekele with the England Lions having a handy lead of 261 runs with four wickets remaining.
England Lions 316 (80.2) Tom Westley 97, Toby Roland-Jones 82, Liam Livingstone 59, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/97, Asitha Fernando 2/31 & 112/6 (40) Keaton Jennings 37, Dilruwan Perera 2/42, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/28
Sri Lanka A 167 (47.4) Sandun Weerakkody 68, Dilruwan Perera 37, Malinda Pushpakumara 26, Toby Roland-Jones 4/51,Ollie Rayner 3/27
