For Sri Lanka, the defeat completes a miserable tour where they have failed to beat England in any of the nine international matches
Agencies
Southampton
Jos Buttler hit 73 not out after an excellent England bowling and fielding display as Sri Lanka were beaten by eight wickets in the sole Twenty20.
Buttler, promoted to open, was joined by Eoin Morgan (47 not out) to get the hosts to a target of 141 in 17.3 overs.
Sri Lanka earlier slipped from 51-1 to 140 all out in Southampton.
Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, on debut on his home ground, took 3-27, Chris Jordan 3-29, and England's electric fielding scored two run-outs.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat completes a miserable tour where they have failed to beat England in any of the nine international matches - the home side have won the inaugural 'Super Series' 20-4.
England, in their first T20 match since the agonising defeat in the World Twenty20 final in April, have now won 12 of their past 16 matches in the shortest form.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Buttler is "in contention" for a return to the England Test side for the series against Pakistan, according to coach Trevor Bayliss.
Here, in England's final game before the squad for that is named on Thursday, the right-hander made the most of his opportunity at the top of the order in place of the injured Alex Hales to make his highest T20 international score.
Reprieved on five when he looked to have edged Angelo Mathews behind, Buttler rarely seemed to be in his most devastating top gear, but still controlled the chase with the minimum of fuss.
He mixed orthodox strokes through the off side with four sixes - three straight and one heave over mid-wicket - to complete a remarkable run that has seen him pass 20 in all but one of his past nine T20 international innings.
Buttler shared an unbroken stand of 114 with Morgan, the captain batting despite dislocating a finger while taking a catch.
Morgan was dropped twice, on eight by Mathews and 19 by the flying Dasun Shanaka, before finishing the game with his second maximum over mid-wicket.
By adding the rapid Tymal Mills to Liam Plunkett and Jordan, England fielded a fiery pace trio, but one that Sri Lanka were still able to take for 51 runs in the first six overs.
It was when Dawson and leg-spinner Adil Rashid began to operate on a two-paced surface that England began to exert control.
Giving the ball air, Dawson had Danushka Gunathilaka caught at long-off, Kusal Mendis offer a return catch and then bowled Mathews when the captain played an ugly swipe.
With Sri Lanka running poorly, Shanaka went to Jason Roy's bullet throw from long-off and the dawdling Ramith Rambukwella fell in similar fashion to James Vince's direct hit from point. England could have already had Gunathilaka run-out had they appealed when Morgan hit direct.
When the pacers returned Jordan, who went for 20 in his second over, bowled a full length to mop up the tail and finish with figures of 3-29.
Mills ended wicketless, but impressed with thunderbolts in excess of 90mph mixed with cleverly disguised slower deliveries.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka 140 (20 overs): Dawson 3-27, Jordan 3-29
England 144-2 (17.3 overs): Buttler 73* (49), Morgan 47* (39)
