Chasing a mammoth 508 for victory, tourists Pakistan were bowled out for 261 in the second session on day five with skipper Babar Azam hitting a valiant 81 in Galle.
In the updated Test Championship points table, The Lankans moved back to the third spot with 53.33 percentage points. India are fourth with 52.08, while Pakistan have slumped to the fifth spot with 51.85 percentage points.
SL vs PAK, 1st Test: Abdullah Shafique survived three dropped catches, on 70, 135 and 151, but played the anchor's role to perfection as he surpassed his previous Test best of 136 not out.
SL vs Pak 1st Test Day 5 Highlights: Abdullah Shafique hit an unbeaten 158 as Pakistan on Wednesday defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two match series
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya produced an absolute ripper to dismiss Pakistan's talismanic captain Babar Azam.