The tourists came into the sixth ODI in Pallekele having reduced Sri Lanka's series lead to 3-2 with a five-wicket win on Thursday, but they were outclassed at the same venue two days later as the home side prevailed by 90 runs.
Sangakkara continued his fine form in the series with a majestic 112 as Sri Lanka made 292-7 having won the toss and chosen to bat first.
The experienced left-hander was well supported by Tillakaratne Dilshan (68), before the home bowlers put the squeeze on England's chase.
They were led by Lakmal, who ripped out the middle order on his way to ODI-best figures of 4-30.
Joe Root followed up his unbeaten century on Thursday with a patient 55, but he lacked significant support as England fell to 202 all out with more than eight overs unused.
The home side made three changes, one of which saw Mahela Jayawardene promoted to open the innings alongside Dilshan.
It proved to be unproductive as Chris Woakes (2-51) removed Jayawardene for only five, but Dilshan and Sangakkara put together a dominant partnership of 153.
England's cause was not helped by captain Alastair Cook dropping Sangakkara when he was 41 - a simple chance at mid-off from the bowling of Ravi Bopara.
After Dilshan fell to James Tredwell (1-37), Steven Finn (2-53) ousted Seekkuge Prasanna (20) and Angelo Mathews (one).
Sangakkara - whose last five innings in the series have brought a total of 419 runs - was eventually dismissed with five overs remaining, but that did not stop Sri Lanka posting what looked to be a daunting total.
The under-pressure Cook then fell lbw to Sachithra Senanayake for the second match in succession, this time having made just one.
From that point, England continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, Lakmal removing Bopara (13) and Eoin Morgan (nought) with successive deliveries to leave the tourists struggling at 84-5.
Woakes made 41 - his highest score for England - but offered up a tame return catch to Dilshan (2-55) to sum up England's day.
And the tourists' defeat confirmed when Tredwell skied a catch to Dilshan off Senanayake, who finished with 3-33.