Sri Lanka resumed on 8/2, still facing a huge 495-run deficit, and quickly lost Kamil Mishara to Prasidh Krishna. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis then added 87 before Krishna dismissed Mendis for his third wicket.
Tanav Suthar removed captain Dhananjaya de Silva before also trapping Sooriyabandara lbw for a patient 80 off 133 balls. Mohammed Siraj struck three balls later to dismiss Niroshan Dickwella, leaving Sri Lanka 173/7.
Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha steadied the innings with a 57-run partnership, but Suthar dismissed Nuwantha to leave the hosts 230/8. Dinusha and Lahiru Kumara then added an unbeaten 35 before rain ended play early.
Sri Lanka closed on 265/9, still 238 runs behind India, and in need of a substantial partnership on Day 4 to avoid the follow-on.
India had earlier declared on 503/9, with centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel.
Ajinkya Rahane has called for Sanju Samson to be restored to India's top three for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, with teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making way for him.
Sri Lanka have suffered a double injury blow after captain Kusal Mendis and seamer Binura Fernando were ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series in England.
India are set to have VVS Laxman in charge at the 2026 Asian Games, with regular head coach Gautam Gambhir remaining with the senior side for their home series against the West Indies.
Charith Asalanka has returned as Sri Lanka vice-captain for the upcoming white-ball tour to England that will comprise three T20Is and three ODIs.
