The Aussies move up to fourth in the ICC rankings following the series win while Lanka slips to fifth. This is the first series loss for Sri Lanka at home since 2005. Clarke made 112 as the tourists, trailing by 157 runs after the first innings, were all out for 488 in their second knock on the fifth day, a lead of 331 runs.

Michael Hussey followed two successive hundreds in the series with 93 after helping Clarke add 176 runs for the fifth wicket to frustrate Sri Lanka's bid for a series-levelling win. The second Test in Pallekele ended in a rain-affected draw.