Australia lost three early wickets to Sri Lanka’s spinners before skipper Steve Smith steadied the ship as the visitors struggled to chase down a formidable target of 268 in a nail-biting first Test.
Australia were precariously placed at 83 for three, with Smith unbeaten on 26, when bad light forced the umpires to call tea early on the fourth day in Pallekele in a match that has already been badly hit by rain.
Australia still need another 185 runs for victory to take a lead in the three-match series.