The only team to rival Australia for cricket drama during the last year is hopeful of reversing its fortunes on a batting-friendly pitch in Canberra.
Sri Lanka's troubled tour of Australia plunged further into crisis this week as coach Chandika Hathurusingha was removed from the team's selection panel.
It was the latest in a litany of off-field problems to go with being winless in the Test arena since defeating South Africa 2-0 at home in July.
To top it off, the International Cricket Council's 15-day amnesty period for anyone who has previously failed to report any information about corrupt conduct in Sri Lankan cricket ends on Thursday.
Captain Dinesh Chandimal says Hathurusingha will be disappointed with no longer being a selector but the team had to focus on an improved showing in the second Test after being demolished at the Gabba.
"It's tough. Every day there are a lot of changes," Chandimal told reporters on Thursday.
"That's part of the game sometimes ... we want to forget about that stuff outside of the cricket."
Sri Lanka's tour suffered a blow before the team arrived in Australia as key batsman Angelo Mathews was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera have both flown home with injuries following the innings and 40-run loss in Brisbane.
Kasun Rajitha is expected to add to his three Tests, as is left-armer Vishwa Fernando.
Chandimal said Sri Lanka had settled on the line-up he hopes can level the series at Manuka Oval, but will leave everyone guessing until Friday.
"I can't tell that you today, you can see tomorrow," he said.
After not adjusting to playing under lights in the first test, Chandimal says his team will feel more at home in the nation's capital.
The Sri Lankan No.3 has had at look at the wicket and feels it will offer spin with some low bounce.
"We all know it's (the Gabba) the most bouncy wicket in Australia...it was a different game with the pink ball, but when you come to Canberra there's less bounce," he said.
"It's similar to our conditions, but as a batting unit we need to step up."
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