If the dispute is not sorted in due course of time, it could well affect Sri Lanka's bilateral series with India in July, where six white-ball matches are expected to fill the coffers of a cash-strapped cricket board of the island nation.
A fine century from Mathews, along with a half-century from Chandimal and Thirimanne's 43, formed the bedrock of Sri Lanka's first-innings display.
Chandimal slammed 85 runs as his innings was laced by 11 fours. While Dhananjaya scored 79 runs which include 11 fours and a six.
His all-time Test XI comprised of five players from Sri Lanka, two each from India and South Africa and a player each from England and West Indies.
The first Test of the two-match rubber will begin on December 11 (Rawalpindi) followed by the second match in Karachi from December 19.
Akhtar expressed his disappointment at the pull-out and reminder Sri Lanka how Pakistan has “always been a huge support for SL cricket”.
Ten players from Sri Lanka's preliminary squad have opted to sit out of the tour of Pakistan due to security concerns.
Drying up runs may be the only piece only piece of advice the captain can give with the pitch being more batting-friendly than it usually is in Galle.
If New Zealand beat Sri Lanka 2-0, they will topple No 1 India from the top of the Test table.
With rain expected, New Zealand's return to cricket for the first time since their epic World Cup final may have to wait.