Marnus Labuschagne hit a 104-run stand to help Australia regain control after losing their openers in the second Test against a Covid-hit Sri Lanka on Friday.
The tourists posted 204 for three at tea time in Galle as Labuschagne stumped debutant left-arm spinner Prabhat Jayasuriya.
After Australia elected to bat first to win the two-match series, it ended the 134-run partnership between Labuschagne and Steve Smith, who was batting on 52.
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Labuschagne scored his seventh Test century and his first away from home.
Sri Lanka quickly dismissed David Warner for five in the fifth over off lone pacer Kasun Rajitha.
Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis clean bowled Usman Khawaja for 37 before lunch, but Labuschagne stood firm and attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Labuschagne, who had survived a 28-run stumping by Niroshan Dickwella in the first session, and Smith handled the spinners with ease until the stand ended.
The hosts handed out Test debuts to spinners Mahesh Thekshana and Jayasuriya as well as all-rounder Kamindu Mendis. coronavirus Outbreak in his team.
Ramesh, who took four wickets in the previous match, has bowled most of the overs so far while Thikshana, Jayasuriya and Rajita were rotated.
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Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 count jumped to five on the eve of the final Test, but Angelo Mathews returned to the squad after being forced out by an infection midway through the first match.
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