New Zealand were 30 for one, needing an improbable 413 for victory, at the close on the fourth day of the first cricket test against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka declared their second innings closed at the tea break at 259 for 4, including an unbeaten 123 by Tillakaratne Dilshan.
The Black Caps quickly lost the wicket of Daniel Flynn when he was caught in the slips.
Martin Guptill was on 17 and Ross Taylor was on eight when bad light stopped play with 14 overs remaining in the day.
