The second One-Day International between Sri Lanka and England was abandoned without a ball being bowled after heavy rain on Friday.
The umpires made a final inspection at 1745 local time (1145 GMT) and called the match off because of a muddy outfield despite long periods of sunshine throughout the afternoon.
"We told the captains that we felt the conditions were unfit for play but gave them the option to play if they wanted to -- they decided it was too dangerous," umpire Darryl Harper told reporters.
Sri Lanka won the opening game in Dambulla by 10 wickets with 36.1 overs to spare. The third and final match of the series is due to take place on Sunday.
The Sri Lankan cricket board had offered to reschedule the match for Saturday earlier in the day, despite no provision in the playing conditions.
But England declined the offer on the basis that they did not want to risk playing on three consecutive days with their injury-depleted squad.
The cancellation means that England can only hope to draw the series.
"It was like a bog out there and there was no way you could have played out there," said England captain Michael Vaughan.
"This is getting very frustrating and we can only hope that the covers are put down properly and that we get a game on Sunday."
Vaughan believes the cricket authorities, under pressure to fit in tours, should have thought twice about scheduling a series during Sri Lanka's monsoon season.
"Maybe it is something they should look at because you are always going to struggle during the monsoon," he said.
It ended a frustrating week for England that included a humiliating defeat and injuries to their two main strike bowlers.
James Anderson (ankle) is set to miss the final ODI and the first Test, which starts on December 2, and Steve Harmison (lower back) has been ruled out of the three-Test series.
"We have to keep going now, stay focused and be positive," added Vaughan.
James Kirtley will stay in Sri Lanka as cover for Anderson after the one-day series.
