India was reduced to 132 for five on Day four of the third and final Test being played here on Monday.
Resuming at an overnight score of 21 for three, the tourist lost the wickets of skipper Virat Kohli (21) and Rohit Sharma (50).
At lunch, Stuart Binny and Naman Ojha were at the crease on 38 and 11 respectively.
For the Lankan's, Nuwan Pradeep claimed three wickets, while Dhammika Prasad took two .
Earlier, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 201 in reply to India's huge 312.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma returned figures of 5-54.
The three-match Test series is levelled at 1-1 after India claimed a 278-run win in the second match at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.Sri Lanka won the opening Test match in Galle by 63 runs.