Opener Dimuth Karunaratne missed out on a maiden double hundred but his 238-run stand with fellow centurion Dinesh Chandimal set Sri Lanka on course for a big first-innings total against West Indies in the opening test at Galle on Thursday.

The hosts, who won the toss and opted to bat, were bowled out for 484 on the second day, with Karunaratne falling on 186 shortly before the lunch interval.

After reaching his fifth Test century in the morning session, Chandimal picked up pace in the afternoon before finally being dismissed by Jerome Taylor, caught by Jermaine Blackwood for 151 as he drove uppishly to extra cover.

The 25-year-old right-hander hit 16 fours and two sixes during his stay at the crease which lasted 393 balls.

The hardworking Taylor took his second wicket shortly afterwards when the debutant Milinda Siriwardana edged behind to Denesh Ramdin after scoring just one in an eight-ball innings.

But the respite for the West Indies was brief before Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews stepped up the tempo, hitting five fours and a six as he reached the break unbeaten on 48. With him was Kusal Janith Perera on nine.

Play almost came to a halt 25 minutes into the afternoon session as a bout of drizzle drifted across the Galle International Stadium.

Although it did not force the players off the pitch, it served as a reminder to Sri Lanka of the potential dangers of bad weather halting a possible victory charge unless they pick up the pace.

After resuming after lunch on 344-3, Sri Lanka added 104 runs in the second session of the day.