Sri Lanka, set a victory target of 270 runs, were 2-132 in 37.2 overs at tea on the fifth day of the third and final Test against Pakistan in Pallekele on Thursday.
Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 35 while Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed for 65 in the last over before the break, with Sri Lanka still requiring 138 runs more in a minimum of 33.4 overs.
The tourists declared their second innings at 8-380 half-an-hour before lunch as soon as Asad Shafiq completed his century.
Sri Lanka won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs, while the second in Colombo was drawn.