Sri Lanka reduced Bangladesh to 81-3 at stumps on the fourth day after declaring their first innings on 713-9 in the opening Test at Chittagong on Saturday.
Dilruwan Perera dismissed Imrul Kayes for 19 before Lakshan Sandakan took the important wicket of Tamim Iqbal, who made 41.
Rangana Herath then removed Mushfiqur Rahim for two in the last over of the day.
Bangladesh need to score 119 runs to make Sri Lanka bat again, with Mominul Haque — 18 not out — at the crease.
Kusal Mendis top-scored with 196 in Sri Lanka’s first innings while Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva hit 173 and 109 respectively to help their side take a 200-run lead.
Taijul Islam finished with 4-219 while off-spinner Mehedi Hasan claimed 3-174.