New Zealand lost three wickets as they reduced their target to 39 runs at lunch on day three of the second Test with Sri Lanka.
The hosts trailed by 113 runs with 10 wickets remaining coming into the session, but their morning got off to a mixed start as Nuwan Pradeep removed openers Thomas Latham (35) and Hamish Rutherford (40) in quick succession.
Ross Taylor then joined Kane Williamson in the middle, but he endured a short-lived spell at the crease as Rangana Herath dismissed him without earning a single run with a fine delivery.
Williamson and Brendon McCullum (*14) remain at the crease ahead of the next session.
