England is closing in on victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test, with the visitors struggling at 107-4 in their second innings by Friday.
Sri Lanka still trailed by 15 runs and faced further setbacks as Dinesh Chandimal was taken to the hospital after a blow to his right thumb from a sharp Mark Wood delivery, leaving his participation in the rest of the series in doubt.
England's dominant position was bolstered by a first-innings lead of 122 runs, thanks to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith's maiden Test century. His impressive 111 helped England reach 358 all out, having resumed Day 3 at 259-6.
Sri Lanka’s first innings had started disastrously, collapsing to 6-3, and their second innings was no better.
Early dismissals of Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis for ducks left Sri Lanka at 2-1 before lunch.
Dimuth Karunaratne fell in the second session, undone by the pace of Wood, edging a delivery to Harry Brook at second slip for 27.
Chandimal’s injury added to Sri Lanka's woes, and after receiving treatment, he was sent for an X-ray. With his series in jeopardy, Sri Lanka’s troubles mounted.
Despite the pressure, Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten on 48, fending off England's seamers, though he lost partners along the way.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva was trapped lbw for 10, with Sri Lanka unsuccessfully reviewing the decision. Kamindu Mendis, not out on 6, was at the crease with Mathew.
Earlier, Jamie Smith capped off a remarkable day by taking a catch to dismiss Kusal Mendis. His century, featuring eight fours and a six, was pivotal in helping England recover from 67-3 on Thursday.
The 24-year-old, chosen ahead of Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow as England's wicketkeeper this summer, continues to impress with both bat and gloves. Following strong performances in the 3-0 Test series win over the West Indies, Smith now has a century in just his fourth Test match.
He also became the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred for England, but there was little bluster in the 24-year-old's understated celebration, as he briefly raised his bat to the crowd.
Two balls later, Atkinson departed on 20 after being caught behind for debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake's first Test wicket.
Smith was quick to follow, losing his wicket three overs later as wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal did well to hold on to a slight edge on a wide delivery from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.
Tail-enders Mark Wood and Matthew Potts tried to up the pace with a few quick boundaries, sharing a stand of 30 to build England's lead.
Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando struck to limit the damage as England were bowled out for 358.
Sri Lanka, given a few overs to bat before lunch, made a dreadful start when Nishan Madushka departed for a duck after a dangerous delivery from Woakes nipped back and clipped the stumps.
In the next over, Kusal Mendis edged an Atkinson delivery behind and Smith took an excellent low catch.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews will resume with Sri Lanka in deep trouble at the start of the three-Test series.
