The Sri Lankan middle-order batter also stands close to breaking another record, becoming the fastest to reach 1,000 Test runs. The current record stands at 12 Test matches, and is jointly held by Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes.

Sri Lanka has rewarded Kamindu Mendis for his profitable tour of England by moving him up the batting order for the two-test series against New Zealand starting on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand are engaged in a tense Test match in Galle. New Zealand took a 35-run lead after their first innings, but Sri Lanka responded well, trailing by three runs with nine wickets in hand.