On 22 October 2018, he announced his retirement from international cricket after the first Test at Galle against England. On 6 November 2018, he played in his final Test in Galle. In the first innings of the match, he became the third bowler to take 100 Test wickets at the same venue, when he dismissed the England captain Joe Root. After the match, Herath said that it was "the right time" to retire, finishing his career with 433 Test wickets, the most for a left-arm spin bowler.