Sri Lanka resumed the day 151 behind India's first-innings score of 426 but Jayawardene's unbeaten 204, aided by namesake Prasanna's unbeaten 84 and Thilan Samaraweera's 70 ensured they closed with a lead of 165 by reaching 591 for five.
Samaraweera reached a half-century before a 138-run partnership with Jayawardene for the fourth wicket was ended when he offered a catch to Yuvraj Singh to give Ishant Sharma his second wicket.
India struck again soon after when Harbhajan Singh had Angelo Mathews caught by Gautam Gambhir for 17 but thereafter they were frustrated by Mahela and Prasanna Jayawardene.
Mahela reached his sixth Test double-century shortly before stumps and the sixth-wicket partnership stretched to 216 by stumps.
Mahela stroked 17 fours and a six, fighting hard as India set mostly defensive fields with leg-spinners Amit Mishra and Sachin Tendulkar bowling outside the leg-stump for long periods in the afternoon.
Tomorrow The aim of India should be the wicket of Mahela because he is still notout on 204 runs and he is in a great form.
Mishra has also bowled six no-balls and Zaheer Khan eight as they struggled to gain a foothold in the match and they have it all to do, albeit on a pitch that is still good for batting, if they are to prevent Sri Lanka taking their first Test win in India.
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