HMRKB Herath’s distinction – become the first left arm spin bowler to capture 25 plus five wicket hauls
HMRKB Herath’s 6 for 81 in the first innings of the just concluded test against was his 25th five wicket haul and his second innings effort of 7 for 64 was his 26th five wicket haul. He has now earned the unique distinction of becoming the only left arm spinner in the annals of test cricket to have 25 or more five wicket hauls. All his 26 such hauls are listed below in the chronological order
| No | Overs | M | Runs | W | Pos | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Start Date |
| 1 | 35.0 | 5 | 99 | 5 | 5 | 3 | v Pakistan | Col-PSS | 12 Jul 2009 |
| 2 | 46.0 | 6 | 157 | 5 | 3 | 3 | v Pakistan | Col-SSC | 20 Jul 2009 |
| 3 | 48.0 | 9 | 139 | 5 | 4 | 4 | v New Zealand | Col-SSC | 26 Aug 2009 |
| 4 | 33.0 | 2 | 121 | 5 | 3 | 1 | v India | Kanpur | 24 Nov 2009 |
| 5 | 23.0 | 3 | 79 | 5 | 3 | 3 | v Australia | Galle | 31 Aug 2011 |
| 6 | 52.0 | 11 | 157 | 7 | 4 | 3 | v Australia | Col-SSC | 16 Sep 2011 |
| 7 | 30.3 | 7 | 79 | 5 | 5 | 4 | v South Africa | Durban | 26 Dec 2011 |
| 8 | 19.0 | 5 | 74 | 6 | 3 | 2 | v England | Galle | 26 Mar 2012 |
| 9 | 38.0 | 9 | 97 | 6 | 3 | 4 | v England | Galle | 26 Mar 2012 |
| 10 | 53.0 | 9 | 133 | 6 | 3 | 2 | v England | Col-PSS | 03 Apr 2012 |
| 11 | 30.0 | 5 | 65 | 5 | 4 | 1 | v New Zealand | Galle | 17 Nov 2012 |
| 12 | 18.0 | 3 | 43 | 6 | 3 | 3 | v New Zealand | Galle | 17 Nov 2012 |
| 13 | 49.0 | 10 | 103 | 6 | 4 | 1 | v New Zealand | Col-PSS | 25 Nov 2012 |
| 14 | 21.5 | 2 | 95 | 5 | 6 | 3 | v Australia | Hobart | 14 Dec 2012 |
| 15 | 28.3 | 6 | 68 | 5 | 5 | 1 | v Bangladesh | Col-RPS | 16 Mar 2013 |
| 16 | 36.0 | 9 | 89 | 7 | 3 | 3 | v Bangladesh | Col-RPS | 16 Mar 2013 |
| 17 | 38.1 | 8 | 125 | 5 | 1 | 2 | v Pakistan | Sharjah | 16 Jan 2014 |
| 18 | 45.0 | 30 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 4 | v South Africa | Col-SSC | 24 Jul 2014 |
| 19 | 30.2 | 11 | 48 | 6 | 1 | 3 | v Pakistan | Galle | 06 Aug 2014 |
| 20 | 33.1 | 3 | 127 | 9 | 3 | 2 | v Pakistan | Col-SSC | 14 Aug 2014 |
| 21 | 22.1 | 2 | 57 | 5 | 3 | 4 | v Pakistan | Col-SSC | 14 Aug 2014 |
| 22 | 21.0 | 6 | 48 | 7 | 2 | 4 | v India | Galle | 12 Aug 2015 |
| 23 | 33.0 | 9 | 68 | 6 | 3 | 2 | v West Indies | Galle | 14 Oct 2015 |
| 24 | 33.3 | 16 | 54 | 5 | 2 | 4 | v Australia | Pallekele | 26 Jul 2016 |
| 25 | 38.1 | 11 | 81 | 6 | 3 | 2 | v Australia | Col-SSC | 13 Aug 2016 |
| 26 | 18.1 | 3 | 64 | 7 | 1 | 4 | v Australia | Col-SSC | 13 Aug 2016 |