England captain Andrew Strauss said yesterday that his team is desperate to win the match and make amends for the 75-run defeat in the first test last week in the southern city of Galle.
It was the fourth straight test defeat for England, which took over top spot after whitewashing India 4-0 in a home series last year.
However, playing on spin friendly pitches has been a challenge for the touring side, which lost a three-match series 3-0 to Pakistan before arriving in Sri Lanka.
A loss or draw in the second Sri Lanka test would mean England will be replaced by South Africa as the top-ranked test team.
"When you get into the last test of a series, you need to win to get something out of the series. We desperately want to win this test and make amends for what happened in Galle," Strauss said.
"I am very confident we have got the ability and the skill in our side to do that." Strauss, whose captaincy and batting form is under scrutiny, said that he has faith in the team to turn around its fortunes.
England was dealt a blow with the injury of in-form seam bowler Stuart Broad, who picked up five wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings at Galle.
He is likely to be replaced by 22-year-old seam bowler Steven Finn.
Sri Lanka will be hoping for a first test series win since its victory against New Zealand in 2010 and it will be boosted by the return of vice-captain Anjelo Mathews who missed the first test because of a calf injury.
Shaminda Eranga, the seamer who has impressed in his only test appearance for Sri Lanka, has been recalled to the squad for the injured Chanaka Welegedara.
However, it is Dhammika Prasad who is likely to make it into the team.
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said he is aiming to win the series 2-0.
"We are in a very good position. England is a very strong team and they will come strong at us. We have to be prepared for that and play some good cricket," Jayawardene said.
(from): Mahela Jayawardene, Anjelo Mathews, Tillakakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Parnavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Shaminda Eranga, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath.
(from): Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Alastair Cook, Steven Davies, Steven Finn, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott.
