Sri Lanka resumed the day on 428-6, but lost its last four wickets for 45 runs. Australia batted for three overs before lunch and scored 16 without loss. Shane Watson was on 7 with Phillip Hughes on 4 at the break. [break]
Mathews ended the Sri Lanka innings unbeaten on 105 off 269 balls including 10 boundaries.
Mathews, looking for an elusive test century having been dismissed previously for 99 and 95, was again facing the prospect of missing out as wickets fell quickly at the other end.
Sri Lankan batsman Anjelo Mathews acknowledges the crowd after scoring his maiden test century. (AFP)
Missing several singles in order to protect last man Suranga Lakmal, he stepped out and hit seamer Peter Siddle past extra-cover to complete his century. He punched the air and jumped in celebration.
Siddle bowled overnight batsman Shaminda Eranga in the third over of the morning for 12 runs and trapped Rangana Herath lbw five overs after.
Chanaka Welegedara was run out when Mathews changed his mind after calling for a single, leaving resulting both batsmen stranded at the same end.
Siddle returned figures of 4-91. Seamers Trent Copeland and Mitchell Johnson picked up two wickets each.
Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (83), Kumar Sangakkara (79) and Mahela Jayawardene (51) made important contributions to Sri Lanka´s score in reply to Australia´s 316 in its first innings.
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