Not before time either as their victory by 105 runs over an out-played and undisciplined Pakistan side at Willowmoore Park pulled them back in the running as their net run rate improved in the triangular series.
It is a result which pushes Sri Lanka into second place on the log on net run rate and sets up an entertaining weekend.
Facing a target of 289 off 49 overs at 5.89 an over Pakistan were destroyed by combination of their own batting fallability and the off-spin magic of Mutthiah Muralalitharan. The young Tamil with the wonky elbow, yet tight and controlled bowling action, picked up an ODI career best five for 23 as Pakistan were routed for 173 in 39.3 overs.
Although Marvan Atapattu won the man of the match award for his innings of 94 which was the foundation rock on which the Lankans built their impressive match-winning 288, Muralitharan's accuracy shut down the Pakistan run rate at a time they needed to push it along.
What also sunk Pakistan's plans was a burst of three wickets in 10 balls as Ijaz Ahmed, Abdul Razzak, and Inzamam-ul-Haq came and went in a quick shuttle service. The Pakistan team management failed to explain why the teenager Razzak went in ahead of the more experienced Inzamam, but losing the wickets so quickly put pressure on the batsmen to follow.
As it was they left Saeed Anwar to do too much and when he departed for 59 in the 30th over, it was question of how soon and not how long, the end would come. Anwar became the second of Muralaitharan's victims when he picked the wrong line to pull a straight one which bounced.
In the end Rashid Latif's side crumbled in embarrassing, alarming fashion. A more disciplined performance would have reduced the losing margin and help them retain, marginally at least, second log psoition. Their abject surrender, however, was a massive blow to their own long-term World Cup prospects in England next year.
Sri Lanka, however, made the most of the perfect batting conditions, although with Atapattu holding the innings together, a big total was a distinct possibility. Certainly more than the 250 Ranatunga fancied when he first checked the pitch on Tuesday.
What also helped the islanders was their run rate in the first 15 overs; they knocked off 94, just the start Ranatunga, their captain, sought from his top order.
Yet it was Atapattu, working the ball around the field, and picking off seven fours and a six, who anchored the innings as he helped Ranatunga add 141 in a crucial partnership. The duo kept the run-rate ticking along nicely and rotating the strike. And as the pitch started to display some of the characteristics for which it was once noted, with the ball coming on to the bat, batting first was by far the better option.
Latif must have regretted his decision to ask Sri Lanka to bat first. He no doubt must have thought that winning the toss three out of three against the Lankans was a good omen. In Kimberley, in similar conditions the week before it became a doddle. Yesterday Pakistan were an embarrassment to their supporters.
If Atapattu batted with style and fashion, Ranatunga's 78 off 72 balls was the burst of scoring the Lankas needed to keep their momentum ticking over. Even his departure in the 41st over did not slow the run rate as Atapattu ensured a healthy total for the bowlers to defend.
And with the Lankans fielding supporting their bowlers for a change they were able to put a professional performance together: providing the sort of second warning for a South African side which had become a little too cocky.