Moeen Ali capitalised on poor Sri Lanka fielding with an innings of 155 not out as England established a commanding position on the second day of the second Test at the Riverside today.
Ali's century, his second Test hundred, was the cornerstone of England's 498 for nine declared.
At tea, Sri Lanka were 32 for one in reply, a deficit of 466 runs, after Dimuth Karunaratne was bowled round his legs by James Anderson.
Kaushal Silva was nine not out and Kusal Mendis 14 not out.
England's total was especially imposing given Sri Lanka had been dismissed for 91 and 119 during the hosts' innings and 88-run victory in the first Test of this three-match series at Headingley last week.
Ali's hundred was also his second in Tests against Sri Lanka following an unbeaten 108 in a losing cause at Headingley two years ago.
Having made his name as top-order batsman with Worcestershire, Ali has primarily been deployed by England as an off-spinner.
Often batting as low as No 8, he was promoted to No 7 after all-rounder Ben Stokes was ruled out of this match with a knee injury.
The day before this match started, England captain Alastair Cook said: "I don't think we've seen the best of Mo's batting."
Ali, dropped on 36 and 105, did his best to set his skipper straight as he ran a sloppy Sri Lanka ragged, taking twos even when the field had been pushed back.
England resumed Saturday well-placed on 310 for six.
Left-hander Ali was 28 not out and Chris Woakes, in for Stokes, eight not out.
Sri Lanka held several brilliant catches on Friday, but Saturday's early overs saw them drop two chances.
Ali fended outside off stump against Nuwan Pradeep but Karunaratne at a wide second slip couldn't hold the shoulder high chance.
