Amla scored a measured 103 off 115 deliveries and shared a 145-run stand with Faf du Plessis (75) for the second wicket as South Africa recovered from a very slow start to score 299/6 in 50 overs in their Group B opener.
Apart from the series sweep by South Africa, Sri Lanka played out a tied series at home against Bangladesh, and its most disappointing performance came when it lost to Scotland in a practice match leading up to the Champions Trophy.
Earlier, the Proteas' total of 299/6 had been built on the back of Hashim Amla's 25th one-day global ton, a brilliant 75 from Faf du Plessis and a quickfire 38 at the end of the innings by JP Duminy. Amla's knock featured five fours and two sixes. Batting first, they posted a solid-looking 299 from 50 busy overs, driven on by a high grade unhurried hundred from Hashim Amla, his 25th in one-day internationals and another example of the ease with which high-class batsmen have so far been able to score on some friendly pitches.
A dominant South Africa beat Sri Lanka, helped by Hashim Amla's classy century. JP Duminy ended unbeaten on 38 off 20 balls, which included a four and a six of the last two deliveries.
"Against Sri Lanka, he bowled skilfully to both right and left handers and he bowls so few bad balls". But instead of getting bogged down, Tharanga took charge and slammed Parnell for two more boundaries, taking Sri Lanka to 87 in ten overs. "They shut Sri Lanka down today and move on to the next match". South Africa always looked ahead of the game.
Dinesh Chandimal took on one of South Africa´s best fielders - A.B.de Villiers - on a misfield and was run out by a direct hit.
Sri Lanka had lost five ODIs to South Africa already this year, but had hoped that months later, playing for a different trophy, they could apply the lessons learned during that walloping.
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As soon as Morne Morkel (1-31) was tossed the ball to take over from Rabada, he had Dickwella caught in the deep.
Sri Lanka started off really well, with openers making the maximum use of the powerplay.
South Africa seemed to be in a comfortable position when the excitement was tarnished by the dismissal of F du Plessis who was caught brilliantly by Chandimal of the bowling of Pradeep.
At the end of thirtieth over, the average 5.43 per over as South Africa had a great chance to put a decent total in the board as they had 9 wickets in hand with du Plessis and the consistent Amla on the crease.
Amla was handling everything the Sri Lankan order could throw at him, and although Quinton de Kock fell for just 23, captain Faf du Plessis stepped in and steadied the ship in expert fashion. Imran Tahir foxed Chamara Kapugedera with a googly in the same over, completing the shift of momentum.
It was Tahir who clinched the game from Sri Lanka in the second innings as he got the wicket of Upul Tharanga who was going well after scoring his half-century.
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