Thirimanne, Karunaratne lead Sri Lanka's strong reply

The openers - Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne - added 114 for the first wicket in the post-lunch session, as Sri Lanka made a strong reply to Bangladesh's first innings score of 541 for 7 declared.

The two batters played with a sense of purpose. The session started off with a maiden, but Ebadot Hossain bowled a poor third over which went for 14 runs. Couple of extras and a few boundaries allowed the opening duo to settle down. Only when the spinners were introduced into the attack there was some pressure employed by Bangladesh.

Taijul Islam did create a chance and trapped Thirimanne in front of the stumps, but after being given not out, Bangladesh opted not to review a call which looked straightforward. Thirimanne, though, didn't exactly make the reprieve count as he departed for a well made 58 on the last ball of the session, with Mehidy Hasan picking up the scalp.