Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana both hit centuries to put Sri Lanka in control of the second Test against India.
Hundreds for Sangakkara and Paranavitana on day one
Sri Lanka have laid the foundations for a mammoth first-innings total thanks to centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana on day one of the second Test against India.
Captain Sangakkara reached the close unbeaten on 130 and opener Paranavitana made exactly 100 as the hosts posted 312-2 on another batsman's paradise in Colombo.
In reaching three figures at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Sangakkara is now only the second player to have scored nine Test centuries at one ground - matching Sir Don Bradman's feat at his beloved MCG.
There were only two moments of cheer for India on a tough opening day, Pragyan Ojha (1-59) picking up Tillakaratne Dilshan for 54 and Ishant Sharma (1-66) ending Paranavitana's long stay.
Momentum
Buoyed by his maiden Test hundred in the first Test last week, left-hander Paranavitana picked up where he left off in Galle after captain Sangakkara had won the all-important toss.
He and fellow opener Dilshan, who reached his 15th Test half-century with a four off Harbhajan Singh's first delivery, put on 99 for the first wicket in just 109 balls.
Left-arm spinner Ojha briefly halted the momentum when his flighted delivery drew Dilshan into a false drive straight to VVS Laxman at extra cover.
Paranavitana led the Sri Lankan charge after lunch, notching his fifth Test half-century, while Sangakkara raced away towards his own 50, hitting seven boundaries along the way.
Sri Lanka continued to milk the toothless Indian attack throughout the second session as both batsmen closed in on three figures.
Guilty
Paranavitana took the total past the 200 mark, and the second-wicket stand beyond 100, with a huge six over long-on off Harbhajan.
Both men brought up their milestones in the 71st over, Paranavitana clipping Virender Sehwag for three before his skipper danced down the pitch and brought up his 23rd Test century with a boundary over mid-on.
Paceman Sharma ended the 174-run partnership the following over, Paranavitana guilty of a lack of foot movement as he chopped an unthreatening delivery back onto his stumps.
Sri Lanka did see themselves past 300 late in the day, though, and were eventually escorted safely to the close by their captain and new man Mahela Jayawardene (9 not out).
