Sangakkara will bid farewell to international cricket after the second Test and Mathews said it will be a highly emotional affair for his side.
"It's going to be an emotional game for all of us as a great of Sri Lanka cricket, a great servant for the team, and a great human being is saying goodbye," said Mathews today.
"We can't thank him enough for what he has done for Sri Lankan cricket and the team over the past so many years. We thank him truly and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.
It has been a muted affair here in Sri Lanka, ever since the Test series began. Sangakkara himself has stayed away from all the attention, instead focusing on his last international match.
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The coming few days will nevertheless see an outpouring of emotion from every quarter.
"He's been with us for so long, with the national team, and he has been the backbone of Sri Lankan batting over the past 18 years. It's going to be tough game for him as well emotionally but all good things have to come to an end unfortunately. After the match, we will have a small get-together farewell for him as well," he added.