With the match evenly poised at the start of the day, Jayasuriya scored 131 to lift the tourists to 285-3 in their second innings for an overall lead of 264 runs.

The 35-year-old former captain brought up his century in the final session by smashing leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for six over mid-wicket, and continued to pound Pakistan's tiring attack to finish the day with 13 boundaries.

He will return on day four looking to extend his fourth wicket 69-run partnership with first innings century maker Thilan Samaraweera, who provided solid support with 15 runs.

After Sri Lanka made 243 in their first innings, Pakistan resumed on Friday at 256-8 but the tail made just eight extra runs to give the hosts a lead of 21.

Paceman Shoab Akhtar, who took 5-60 in the first innings, then got Pakistan off to a great start when he trapped Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu without scoring for the second time in the match.

For Atapattu, the rare pair added to a similar inglorious performance on his Test debut against India at Chandigarh in 1992.

Akhtar's fine form continued when he had Jayasuriya caught behind for nine, only to see New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden signal a no-ball.

Kumar Sangakkara weathered the Akhtar storm and steadied Sri Lanka's innings with a polished 59, his 18th Test half century.

He and Jayasuriya guided Sri Lanka to lunch at 98-1 but, with the first ball after the interval, Akhtar had Sangakkara caught behind by Moin Khan. Jayasuriya and Sangakkara put on 98 for the second wicket.

Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene then combined for an 118-run partnership, with the pair seeing off Akhtar's third spell in the post tea session.

Jayawardene made 57, his 22nd Test half century, before top-edging a Kaneria delivery to Moin behind the stumps.

Pakistan will have to take the final seven wickets on Saturday for 50 runs or less to avoid setting themselves a history-making chase.

Pakistan's biggest total to win a Test was 314 against Australia in Karachi 10 years ago.

In the morning, Pakistan's innings ended with the run out of number 11 Kaneria for one.

Before that, Akhtar was trapped leg before wicket for nine by left arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 3-68.