Daniel Vettori and Marvan Atapattu were both injured in a fielding collision as New Zealand were dismissed for a respectable 305 before tea on the third day of this second Test on Monday.
New Zealand, who had started the day at a precarious 75 for four after a delayed start to the match, frustrated a Sri Lanka side looking to wrap up the innings quickly.
The tourists chiseled out 96 runs in the morning and another 134 after lunch thanks to a patient half century from opener Mark Richardson and a career best 74 from all rounder Jacob Oram.
Vettori also chipped in with an entertaining boundary-studded 55, his fifth Test 50, adding precious runs with the lower order.
His innings came to an end when he was run-out by an underarm flick from Atapattu, who was hurtling in from mid off.
Both players collided and were carried from the field in separate stretchers. They were admitted to hospital where Vettori was treated by an ankle injury while Atapattu has suspected concussion, a possible neck injury and a cut ankle.
The incident revived memories of Steve Waugh's bloody collision with fellow-Australian Jason Gillespie in 1999 at the same venue.
Atapattu was also involved in a collision with Brian Lara during a one-day match in 2001. He escaped injury on that ocassion but Lara dislocated an elbow.
Muttiah Muralitharan, bowling in front of his home town crowd, was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler, claiming three for 90 from 34 overs.
The visitors had started cautiously after an early start in the morning, aware of that even a moderate total would be useful at a venue with a history of producing tense low scoring Test matches.
Richardson led the Kiwi fightback started the previous afternoon when New Zealand collapsed to 11 for three, with a patient 55, his 15th Test half-century.
Oram provided fellow left hander Richardson with support during a slow 38-run stand in 139 balls for the fifth wicket.
Missed on 50 by Kumar Sangakkara at short leg, Oram hit 15 boundaries in his 179-ball 76, his maiden test half century.
Vettori took the attack to the Sri Lanka spinners, eventually forcing captain Hashan Tillakaratne to take the new ball in the 104th over.
The decision soon reaped dividends as Daryl Tuffey (15) edged to slip but Vettori continued to frustrate Sri Lanka, bringing up his 50 with an off drive for four before his clash with Atapattu.
Scoreboard
New Zealand (1st innings): (overnight 75-4)
M.Richardson c Sangakkara b Lokuarachchi 55
M.Horne c Kaluwitharana b Vaas 1
S.Fleming lbw Nissanka 0
M.Sinclair lbw Vaas 3
S.Styris c Tillakaratne b Muralitharan 32
J.Oram c Kaluwitharana b Lokuarachchi 74
R.Hart lbw Muralitharan 31
D.Vettori run out 55
P.Wiseman b Muralitharan 7
D.Tuffey c Jayawardene b Nissanka 15
S.Bond not out 10
Extras (b-3 lb-7 nb-7 w-5) 22
Total (all out, 111.5 overs) 305
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-7, 3-11, 4-71, 5-109, 6-189, 7-222, 8-237, 9-271
Bowling: Vaas 22-8-48-2 (2-nb), Nissanka 16.5-5-41-2, Muralitharan 34-10-90-3 (5-nb), Jayasuriya 8-0-24-0, Dharmasena 15-5-40-0, Lokuarachchi 16-5-52-2.
