DAMBULLA,  (Reuters) – All-rounder Thisara Perera’s  maiden five-wicket haul helped hosts Sri Lanka to an  eight-wicket victory over India yesterday and a place in the  final of the one-day tri-series.

The 21-year-old Perera seamed and swung the ball around on a  two-paced pitch to capture five wickets for 28 runs as India  choosing to bat first crumbled for 103.

Only Yuvraj Singh, making a comeback to the side after being  laid low by dengue fever, offered some kind of resistance top  scoring with 38 off 64 balls with five fours and one six.

Sri Lanka made short work of the target as Mahela  Jayawardene, promoted to open with Tillakaratne Dilshan, raced  to a partnership of 79 before both departed off successive  deliveries to Ishant Sharma.

Dilshan made 35 off 23 balls with eight fours and  Jayawardene 33 off 35 balls with six fours.

Upul Tharanga (12) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (13) ensured  victory was achieved in the shortest possible time by calling  for the batting power play that earned Sri Lanka a bonus point  and put them on top of the league standings.

The winner of the India and New Zealand match on Wednesday will play Sri Lanka in the final next Saturday.