The Blues appeared on course to end their five-match losing streak with a slender one-point lead as the clock approached red.
But Laulala had other ideas and ghosted over for a match-winning try with just minutes to spare.
Munster raced into a 10-3 half-time lead following Tommy O’Donnell’s first effort but the Blues roared back into the clash and grabbed tries through Daf Hewitt and Lewis Jones, either side of O’Donnell’s second.
But they shot themselves in the foot and failed to close out the victory with Laulala running in Munster’s third with three minutes to spare as the Blues woes continue.
They came out firing at Cardiff Arms Park and Jason Tovey made amends for an early miss with the Blues first points on seven minutes.
But Munster demonstrated their clinical edge and scored with their first attack, O’Donnell the recipient of the razor-sharp move.
Ronan O’Gara added the extras and moments later was sent to the sin-bin but the Blues failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
They again started well from kick-off in the second-half and Hewitt thundered through Ian Keatley to bring the Blues to life.
Sweeney converted and fired over a penalty as the Blues established a lead but Munster hit-back with O’Donnell bulldozing through some weak defence.
But the hosts were not dispirited and Jones grabbed what appeared to be the match-winning try after Lou Reed charged down Peter Stringer’s box-kick.
Sweeney missed from the touchline but the try had handed the Blues a one point lead with full-time approaching.
But Laulala, who spent three seasons at the region, powered through Tom James to snatch a late match-winning score.
