Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by five wickets in the first World Cup semi-final played at the R. Premadasa stadium last night.

New Zealand batting first was restricted to 217 in 48.5 overs with Scott Styris top-scoring with 57 off 77 balls. Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis took 3 wickets each.

Tillakaratne Dilshan once again performed at the top of the order with 73 runs while Captain Kumar Sangakkara scored 54.

Tim Southee picked up three wickets for 57 run.

Sri Lanka will meet the winner of today's second semi-final between Pakistan and India in Mohali, in the grand finale of the 10th ICC Cricket World Cup to take place on April 2nd in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, speaking to media Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara said victory in Saturday's final in Mumbai would be the perfect gift to his compatriots as the country continues to emerge from years of conflict.

Sangakkara said his side wants to do better than they managed in 2007, when they finished runners-up to Australia, to help usher in a new future for the country.

"It means a great deal, especially because of the future that is envisioned for Sri Lanka now, for us to be in this position where we host a Word Cup and the team to get into a final, it bodes very well for the future of our country," he said.