After 130 overs had been lost to rain in the first Test of a three-match series, England bowled the tourists out for just 82 in a fraction over two hours in their second innings.
The result was a stunning turnaround after only 15 wickets had fallen on the first four days and provided yet more evidence that England's ambition to become the number one Test team in the world is a realistic goal.
The final day started four hours late and England batted for only two overs to allow Ian Bell to reach his hundred, declaring at 496 for five.
Sri Lanka then began their second innings trailing by 96 runs at 1521 local time. By 1732 the game was over. Fast bowler Chris Tremlett sparked the win with the first three wickets and finished with four for 40. Off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed four for 16 and Stuart Broad wrapped up the win with the final two wickets. Sri Lanka struggled immediately when Tharanga Piranavitana was caught at first slip off Tremlett for a duck and skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was caught and bowled for 10 before tea.
Score Board
SRI LANKA (I Innings): 400
ENGLAND (I Innings, O/n: 491/5):
Strauss c M J’dene b Lakmal 20
Cook c P J’dene b Maharoof 133
Anderson c M J’dene b Mendis 1
Trott b Dilshan 203
Pietersen lbw Herath 3
Bell (not out) 103
Morgan (not out) 14
Extras (B-10, LB-4, NB-5) 19
Total (5 wkts decl, 155 overs) 496
Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-47, 3-298, 4-305, 5-465
Bowling: Lakmal 22-4-68-1, Perera 24-5-81-0, Dilshan 16-1-60-1, Maharoof 28-3-92-1, Mendis 21-4-66-1, Herath 44-7-115-1.
SRI LANKA (II Innings):
Paranavitana c Strauss b Tremlett 0
Dilshan c & b Tremlett 10
Sangakkara c Strauss b Swann 14
M J’dene c Strauss b Tremlett 15
Samaraweera b Swann 0
P Jayawardene c Prior b Tremlett 3
Maharoof c Prior b Swann 0
Perera c Bell b Broad 20
Herath lbw Swann 3
Mendis (not out) 12
Lakmal c Cook b Broad 0
Extras (B--5) 5
Total (all out, 24.4 overs) 82
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-10, 3-33, 4-36, 5-43, 6-43, 7-43, 8-52, 9-82.
Bowling: Sturat Broad 7.4-1-21-2, Chris Tremlett 10-2-40-4, Graeme Swann 7-1-16-4.
