Opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne led the way with his third Test century as Sri Lanka finished the opening day Wednesday of the first Test against West Indies at 250 for two.
Karunaratne’s unbeaten 135 and a knock of 72 not out from Dinesh Chandimal put the hosts firmly on top at stumps after they won the toss and elected to bat at the Galle International Stadium.
Sri Lanka, who went into lunch at 67 for the loss of Kaushal Silva’s wicket for 17, progressed to 141 for 2 at tea, with vice captain Lahiru Thirimanne the only player to lose his wicket in the afternoon session.
Chandimal joined Karunaratne and started playing in his natural aggressive style. He hit the first six of the innings when he lofted Devendra Bishoo over mid wicket, notching up his ninth 50 in Tests.
At close, the pair had added an 149 unbeaten runs for the third wicket.
Sri Lanka, which is beginning a new era with the retirement of the legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, gave the 30-year-old Milinda Siriwardana his Test debut.