At stumps, Sri Lanka were 92 for 2 in their second innings, with Dinesh Chandimal unbeaten on 40 and Kamindu Mendis batting on 30. The pair added an unbroken 60-run stand for the third wicket after the hosts lost two early wickets.

The match appeared evenly poised when West Indies resumed their first innings and mounted a strong recovery through Hope and Greaves. The duo stitched together a crucial 242-run partnership for the fifth wicket, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowling attack for much of the opening session.

Hope reached his fifth Test century and his first on home soil, bringing up the landmark in 198 deliveries. At the other end, Greaves continued his impressive run in red-ball cricket, registering his third Test hundred after facing 201 balls.

Their partnership not only rescued West Indies from a difficult position but also narrowed Sri Lanka's first-innings advantage significantly. For a period, the visitors looked capable of pushing for a lead.

However, the momentum shifted shortly before lunch when Sonal Dinusha dismissed Hope via stumping. The breakthrough opened the door for Sri Lanka, who quickly regained control of the contest.

Greaves carried on and produced one of the finest innings of his Test career. The right-hander remained at the crease for 325 deliveries and scored 180 runs before eventually falling to Prabath Jayasuriya. His knock formed the backbone of the West Indies total of 499.

Sri Lanka's bowlers wrapped up the innings soon after. Asitha Fernando was the standout performer, claiming a five-wicket haul and completing the third five-for of his Test career. He removed key batters including Roston Chase, Anderson Phillip and Shamar Joseph during a decisive spell.

Milan Rathnayake accounted for Alzarri Joseph to bring the innings to a close, ensuring Sri Lanka carried a 50-run first-innings lead into the final phase of the match.

The hosts, however, suffered an early setback in their second innings when first-innings centurion Lahiru Udara was trapped leg-before wicket by Shamar Joseph without opening his account. Nishan Madushka and Chandimal attempted to steady the innings, but Madushka departed for 15 after edging Alzarri Joseph to John Campbell at first slip.

With Sri Lanka reduced to 32 for 2, Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis took charge. The pair batted positively and scored at more than four runs an over, denying West Indies any further breakthroughs during the remainder of the day.

Their partnership has placed Sri Lanka in a strong position heading into the fifth and final day. While a lead of 142 runs is far from decisive on its own, the hosts still have eight wickets in hand and an opportunity to stretch the target beyond West Indies' reach.

For the visitors, early wickets on the final morning will be critical. West Indies have already shown through the Hope-Greaves stand that they can fight back from difficult situations, but they will need a disciplined bowling effort to keep the chase within manageable limits.

With both teams still eyeing victory, the final day promises an intriguing finish. Sri Lanka hold the advantage, but the match remains open enough for another twist before the last wicket falls.