New Zealand, trailing by 26 runs on the first innings, were struggling on 8-96 in their second innings at lunch on the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Monday.
Daniel Flynn scored 20 for New Zealand, while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took five wickets.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 247 in their first innings on Sunday in reply to New Zealand’s 221.