Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis converted centuries into maiden double hundreds by smashing the Ireland bowlers as Sri Lanka sustained control of the second Test here on Thursday.

At stumps on Day IV, Ireland were 54 for the loss of openers James McCollum (10) and Peter Moor (19) and still 158 runs from avoiding yet another innings defeat.

McCollum was bowled by off-spinner Ramesh Mendis and Moor was dismissed when Angelo Mathews held a superb low catch at short extra cover.

Sri Lanka will be pushing for their 100th Test win and series sweep on a Day V pitch on Friday.

Propelled by Madushka’s 205 and Mendis’ 245, Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 704/3 — a new ground record — immediately after Mathews recorded his 15th and fastest Test century. Mathews was unbeaten on 100 after hitting four sixes and six boundaries. Dhananjaya de Silva, who replaced an injured Dinesh Chandimal, was 12 not out.

Sri Lanka resumed proceedings on 357/1, still 135 runs behind Ireland’s first innings total of 492, and batted with complete control and clear intention to bump the visitors out of the game. The first session saw Mendis reach his ninth Test century and his second in a row against the Irishmen.

Mendis and Madushka added 132 runs on the morning of Day IV and seven more after lunch before Andy McBrine ended their stand by removing Madushka. Their stand was worth 268 with Madushka hitting 22 boundaries and a maximum in his nearly eight-hour knock.

“I always look to play risk-free cricket. That helped me get the double century,” Madushka said later. “I’m happy I got to bat at the top.”

Brief scores: Ireland 492 & 54/2. Sri Lanka 704/3 decl. (N. Madushka 205, K. Mendis 245, A. Mathews 100 n.o.). At stumps, Day IV.