Sri Lanka have replaced the injured Kumar Sangakkara with batsman Dinesh Chandimal, but the remainder of their XI for the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney remains in the balance amid a slew of injury concerns.

Sangakkara and seamer Chanaka Welegedara have been sidelined by respective hand and hamstring injuries, while wicketkeeper-batsman Prasanna Jayawardene is nursing a fractured thumb and all-rounder Nuwan Kulasekara a hurt rub.

Fast bowler Shaminda Eranga, too is in doubt. The 26-year-old left the field for treatment after hurting himself during a friendly game of football prior to batting and bowling practice on Wednesday.

"It's disruptive. These are unexpected things that we need to get our head around and handle the situation the best possible way," said captain Mahela Jayawardene.

"You don't anticipate three or four guys to go down in just one Test match.

"But it happened so we just need to sit down and see what other options we've got."

Jayawardene reiterated the senitment of team-mate Thilan Samaraweera's sentiments, who earlier this week insisted Sri Lanka's ambition to win their first Test in Australia has not wavered, despite heavy defeats in the opening fixtures of the three-match affair.

The tourists were beaten by 137 runs in Hobart and slumped to an innings and 201-run loss inside three days in Melbourne, where the hosts secured an unassailable two-one series lead.

"We've spent a few days to try and get over that match, what happened and how we can avoid something like that again. Teams do go through that sort of thing," he added.

"It's about guys owning responsibility about what happened and doing something about it. It is a strong Australian side but if we play to our potential and back ourselves then we can stand up to that."

The match in Sydney will be the veteran Jayawardene's last in charge of the Test side, with all-rounder Angelo Mathews to take on the captaincy immediately.