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Sri Lanka off to a rollicking start
Sri Lanka won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first in the second Test against India, on a pitch that was batsmen's paradise. By the end of Day 1, they were in control, having amassed 312 for two, with Kumar Sangakkara unbeaten on 130 and Mahela Jayawardene on 13.
Tillakaratne Dilshan got the innings going for Sri Lanka. The right-hander was particularly severe on Ishant Sharma, who he hit with impunity.
Though accelerating in pace, Sharma hardly troubled Dilshan and the Lankan leaned forward to a 138 kmph delivery from the lanky bowler, thumping it between the mid-off and extra cover.
The very next delivery was dispatched to mid-wicket, another short in length bowl in the same over was punched to the extra cover.
Tharanga Paranavitana, the other opener, though was fortunate when an edge off Mithun fell short of India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Earlier, Gautam Gambhir was ruled out due to a niggle in his knee while Yuvraj Singh made way for Suresh Raina owing to fever.
There was overhaul of the Sri Lankan bowling attack, with Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv and Dhamika Prasad making it to the final eleven.
Ojha dismisses Dilshan
Prgyan Ojha gave India the first breakthrough when he had Dilshan caught in the covers by VVS Laxman for a well-made 54.
The opening wicket partnership yielded the home team 99 runs.
However, Dilshan's dismissal came against the run of play. His 42-ball essay included ten hits to the fence.
Paranavitana-Sangakkara punish Indian bowlers
Captain Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana scored their second successive centuries to put Sri Lanka on top.
Sangakkara (130 not out) notched his 23rd Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second as the Lankan batsmen piled on the agony on a listless India.
The Indians, who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series and retain their number one ranking, put up a pathetic bowling display.
If the inexperienced pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun failed to make much of an impact, the two spinners, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, also lacked penetration.
Ishant cleans up Paranavitana
Paranavitana and Sangakkara then served a painful reminder of the opening day's play at Galle as they tormented the Indians with a fine exhibition of batting.
The duo scored at a quick pace, forcing Dhoni to opt for a completely defensive field. Both completed their centuries in the same over, off Virender Sehwag, and received a standing ovation from the sparse home crowd.
The pair stitched 174 runs for the second wicket before Paranavitana fell to Ishant immediately after completing his century much to the relief of the Indians.