Mahela Jayawardene hit a stylish century to steer Sri Lanka to a 66-run win over England yesterday in the second one-day international and wrap up the three-match series.

Jayawardene's unbeaten 101 off 115 balls, his fourth one-day century, enabled Sri Lanka to reach 226 for six in their 50 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first on a slow pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

England, needing to score at the rate of 4.54 runs per over, were never in the hunt after Sri Lanka picked up four early wickets for 88 runs in 27 overs. The tourists were eventually dismissed under lights for 160 in 45 overs.

The victory gives Sri Lanka an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Once again it was the Sri Lankan spinners led by off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who strangled the England batting.

Muralitharan finished with excellent figures of three for 11 off nine overs.

Alec Stewart top scored with 55 off 102 balls, but the rest of the batting line up failed to fire.

Jayawardene, who won the man-of-the-match award, completed his century in the final over of the Sri Lankan innings taking eight runs off Craig White.

He scored his last 28 runs off 20 balls with the aid of a runner after suffering from cramp in the 45th over in the hot and humid conditions that affected the tourists as well as the homeside.