In a contest that was carried over from Sunday due to the wet conditions, Sangakkara stood firm throughout Monday's reserve day to finish unbeaten on 90 off 95 balls to help the tourists to 219 for eight off their 41 overs.
Forced to chase a revised target of 230 from the same number of overs, the Windies ultimately came up short to finish on 190 for nine, despite battling half-centuries from Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons. Angelo Mathews' men currently top the standings on nine points and would need to lose by a sizable margin against India to miss out on a place in Thursday's final.
They had limped their way to 60 for three off 19 overs on Sunday night before rain forced the teams off and the start of Monday's play was also delayed by more downpours. When the teams were finally able to take the field the match had been reduced to 45 overs and then a later shower turned the contest into 41 overs per side.
In the play that was possible, Sangakkara showed his class as he collected his 76th one-day international half-century, finishing with six fours and a six.
He received support from overnight partner Lahiru Thirimanne, who helped Sangakkara put on 64 for the fourth wicket before falling for 23, and then shared in stands of 46 with captain Mathews (30) and a quickfire 54 with Nuwan Kulasekara (14) to help his side past the 200-mark.
Kemar Roach was the pick of the West Indies' attack, finishing with superb figures of four for 27 off his eight overs, while his new-ball partner Jason Holder took two for 50.
The home side made a sloppy start, slipping to 31 for four in the ninth over, with Mathews and Shaminda Eranga picking up two wickets apiece.
Bravo and Simmons put on 123 for the fifth wicket to give the Windies hope, but the latter departed for 67 - which included five fours and four sixes - after hammering Eranga to deep cover,
And Sri Lanka were back on top when big-hitting Kieron Pollard departed for a duck, while Bravo (70) then slogged to long-off off Mathews, who then bowled Holder to end the Windies' challenge.
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