Triangular series, Dambulla: Sri Lanka 143-5 (434. overs) beat New Zealand 139 (43.1 overs) by 5 wickets

The victory was Marvan Atapattu's first as captain

Sri Lanka's batsmen held their nerve on a bowler-friendly wicket to secure their first victory of the tournament.

The home side, New Zealand and Pakistan now have one win each after the first three games, which have all been low-scoring affairs.

Marvan Atapattu had no hesitation is asking the Kiwis to bat first after winning the toss, and they never recovered from losing their first three wickets for 18.

Set only 140 to win, Sri Lanka were coasting along at 116-2 after an innings of 48 by Romesh Kaluwitharana.

But the loss of three wickets for four runs caused a flutter of anxiety before Tillekeratne Dilshan hit four fours in making 18 not out off 17 balls to seal the win.

The match was reduced to 46 overs a side after early morning rain and New Zealand included Kyle Mills in their side as a replacement for paceman Shane Bond, who has a back injury.

They lost captain Stephen Fleming for two in Prabath Nissanka's opening over, caught brilliantly at slip by Kumar Sangakkara, and the paceman also removed Scott Styris for a duck.

STANDINGS New Zealand P2 W1 L1 Pts6 Run rate 0.72 Pakistan P2 W1 L1 Pts6 Run rate 0.09 Sri Lanka P2 W1 L1 Pts6 Run rate -0.71 Ranatunga seeks presidency

The Kiwis could ill afford the run out of Chris Nevin for 12 and Chris Cairns' attempt to hit them out of trouble ended when he gave a return catch to Dharshana Gamage after making 14 off 17 balls.

Lou Vincent did his best to hold the innings together, facing 72 deliveries for his 32, but Muttiah Muralitharan took 3-16 as Sri Lanka swept through the tail.

The home side were set on their way with a stand of 68 between Kaluwitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya (33).

Jacob Oram removed Jayasuriya and Sangakkara in successive overs, and later had Kaluwitharana caught behind for figures of 3-12 from nine overs.

Stryis dismissed Atapattu (18) and Mahela Jayawardene followed for two after attempting a wild drive to a ball from Darrell Tuffey, but Dilshan saw Sri Lanka home with 2.2 overs to spare.

The remaining games in the competition have, meanwhile, been switched to Dambulla because of rain in Colombo.

"The early arrival of monsoons have upset our plans," said Sri Lankan Board chief Anura Tennekoon.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Prabath Nissanka, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dharshana Gamage, Kumar Dharmasena, TM Dilshan

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Chris Nevin, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills