Rangana Herath's five-wicket haul overshadowed a remarkable century from Daniel Vettori as Sri Lanka secured a 96-run victory in the second and final Test in Colombo.
Vettori struck a tenacious 140 and had combined with the tail to offer stiff resistance after his seventh-wicket stand with Jacob Oram (54) was ended in the morning session by Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Sri Lanka's bowlers, however, eventually prevailed with Herath claiming Iain O'Brien as his fifth victim, while Muttiah Muralitharan added the wickets of Jeetan Patel and Vettori as New Zealand was bowled out for 397.
The tourists had resumed on 6-182, chasing an unlikely victory target of 494.
Kumar Sangakkara rotated his attack in the hope of securing the breakthrough and used Dilshan and even Chamara Kapugedera with the old ball, but without success.
Pace bowler Dammika Prasad looked the most dangerous, having Vettori in some trouble during a fiery first spell.
Prasad induced an edge from Vettori but the ball flew between Tharanga Paranavitana and Mahela Jayawardene in the slip cordon, the two fielders left looking at each other.
Vettori was then seemingly struck right in front with the last delivery in the same over, but umpire Daryl Harper turned down the appeal.
Both batsmen reached their half-centuries within a couple of deliveries of each other, also bringing up the century partnership in the process.
The second new ball was then taken and Sangakkara suffered a blow as Muralitharan pulled up in the middle of an over with an injury and limped off the field, leaving Thilan Thushara to complete the over.
Dilshan, however, struck in the final over before lunch, getting Oram to push one straight to Sangakkara at cover and ending a gritty stand which had frustrated the home side.
Sri Lanka's quest for a series whitewash suffered another setback when rain delayed the start of the post-lunch session.
But play resumed after a 30-minute delay and Muralitharan, who had returned to the field, struck almost immediately, Patel edging to Kapugedera at short leg while attempting to sweep.
Vettori reached his century - the fourth of his career - by hitting the veteran spinner over mid-on and had put on 69 for the ninth wicket with O'Brien until the partnership was ended by Herath.
O'Brien edged to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and walked even before Harper could adjudicate.
Vettori was the last man out as his attempt to shield No.11 batsman Chris Martin consumed him, an attempted sweep off Muralitharan caught by Herath running in from deep midwicket.
Herath finished with 5-139, while Muralitharan had 3-85.