Paul Collingwood has warned that England's first win in Sri Lanka for 25 years will mean nothing if his side do not go on and win the five-match one-day series.

Yesterday's 65-run victory at the Rangiri International Stadium was England's first one-day victory on Sri Lankan soil since Ian Botham inspired their only previous win in 1982.

But despite their efforts in bouncing back from an opening match trouncing, captain Collingwood stressed that only a series triumph would satisfy his demands.

Asked about the historic win, Collingwood insisted: ''I'm not really that interested in that. We've got a series to win and there's no point coming out here and only winning one game.

''Tonight we set the standards we want to keep for the rest of the series and go even higher if possible because I know Sri Lanka will bounce back hard.

''Tonight was exceptional. We put in a special performance and there was a lot of hard work in the nets and talking about the game and where we could improve. To take it on to the field so quickly is a special thing.

''It shows they are fast learners, but it's only one game and we want to keep on improving.''

Despite slumping to 61 for four after winning the toss and batting first, England reached a competitive 234 for eight after man of the match Owais Shah hit a determined 82 off 92 balls.

England then dismissed Sri Lanka's talented line-up for 169 with Ryan Sidebottom claiming two early wickets.

Collingwood also took two wickets to back up his 42 runs and there was an excellent all-round display from Graeme Swann, again preferred to Monty Panesar.

''To get a performance in like that after what was a very tough opening game proves to me there's a lot of character in that dressing room and they fought really hard," added Collingwood.

''For the bowlers to bowl slower balls more often after only a couple of days of practising them in the nets and really nailing them, and the skill from Owais Shah to get 82 on a pitch like that against their kind of bowlers is exciting for the future.''

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene conceded: ''England played some really good cricket. We got some early wickets to have them on the ropes, but the way Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah batted during that period changed the game.

''We thought 230 would be a good score to chase on this wicket because we've done it twice before under lights here, but losing early wickets didn't help.''

Shah provided England with the touch and guile required to claim a famous triumph.

Born in Karachi but raised in England from a young age, Shah looked at home in sub-continental conditions.

England's 65-run triumph ended Sri Lanka's run of eight successive victories on home soil.

They had also won eight of the last nine matches between the two sides and England's win represented a significant response following their 119-run mauling in Monday's opener.

Unable to take advantage of the early powerplays after the loss of their top four inside the first 19 overs, the responsibility fell on the middle order.

Unlike Monday evening, when England were dismissed for 150 by playing cricket far too aggressive for the conditions, this time they paced themselves perfectly, with Shah and Collingwood happy to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

At one stage, the pair went 11 overs without a boundary during a 78-run stand off 99 balls before Collingwood hit two fours off the left-arm spin of Sanath Jayasuriya, who was playing his 400th one-day international.

Collingwood was lbw playing across the line to seamer Dilhara Fernando after making a determined 42 off 50 balls.

Ravi Bopara fell in the next over, bowled around his legs attempting an unorthodox shot too early in his innings.

But Shah, favourite to be included as the spare batsman in the Test squad for Sri Lanka to be announced in the next few weeks, found the perfect tempo.

Graeme Swann, again preferred to Monty Panesar for the extra batting he provides, helped to add a crucial 70 off 69 balls.

Shah was out in the final over, brilliantly caught at mid-off by Chamara Silva after hitting five boundaries.

Denied early wickets on Monday, which enabled Sri Lanka to reach a formidable total, England were immediately able to put their talented hosts under pressure following an outstanding spell from Sidebottom.

Restored to their one-day plans after missing the series win over India with a side strain, Sidebottom frustrated Sri Lanka's free-scoring batsmen with a spell of 8-2-18-2.

He struck with his second ball, tempting Upal Tharanga into edging a drive outside off-stump to Alastair Cook at second slip.

Kumar Sangakkara survived two chances in making a scratchy nine off 37 balls before edging Stuart Broad behind to give Phil Mustard his maiden international catch.

Broad showed his aggressive intent to also remove Chamara Silva with a bouncer which he fended to gully.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan forged a determined 52-run stand which had put Sri Lanka back on course and above the rate when Swann was introduced in the 23rd over of the innings.

Swann turned his third delivery past the inside edge of Dilshan's drive to clip his off-stump.

Collingwood snaring Jayawardene in the next over when he forced off the back foot to Kevin Pietersen at mid-wicket