The New Zealand cricketers' face another big loss with Sri Lanka in command going into the final day of the second test in Colombo tomorrow, needing only four more wickets for a 2-0 series win.
The Black Caps will resume on 182 for six, still 312 behind after the batsmen again failed to produce substantial partnerships.
Sri Lanka declared their second innings closed on 311 for five and New zealand's first wicket fell on 36 with Tim McIntosh out for 7.
Daniel Flynn made 50 andJjesse Ryder 38 before Muttiah Mralitheran bowled Brendon McCullum for 13.
The not out batsmen are Jacob Oram on 7 and Dan Vettori on 5.
