Sangakkara forces the ball away off the back foot

Sri Lanka's top order produced an improved batting performance to give them the upper hand in the second Test against West Indies in Kandy.

Only 6.1 overs were possible afte tea because of rain and they were 146-2 at the close, a lead of 148.

Kumar Sangakkara was 46 not out and partner Mahela Jayawardene on 38, their unbroken partnership worth 89.

West Indies were bowled out for 148 in the morning session as left-armer Chaminda Vaas returned figures of 6-22.

The tourists, who were 92-5 overnight, lost Narsingh Deonarine to the fifth ball of the morning's play when he gave a return catch to Sanath Jayasuriya.

Deonarine's departure for 40 was followed by the dismissal of Denesh Ramdin and Daren Powell in the space of four deliveries.

Ramdin was lbw to Vaas for 13 and the left-armer then found a way through Powell's defence via the inside edge to send him packing without scoring.

Omari Banks made 17 before he was caught at short leg off Muttiah Muralitharan, but Tino Best responded with five boundaries in making 26 off 34 balls.

Vaas celebrates the dismissal of Denesh Ramdin

His aggressive cameo was cut short, however, when Muralitharan bowled last man Jermaine Lawson for three to bring the innings to an end.

Jayasuriya and skipper Marvan Atapattu made a positive start when Sri Lanka began their reply, putting on 55 in 12 overs for the first wicket.

Powell made the breakthrough by having Atapattu caught by Omari Banks for 19 and Jayasuriya followed at the start of the next over.

He hit six fours in his 36 but edged a ball from Lawson to slip where Runako Morton made no mistake.

Best produced a hostile spell just before tea, forcing Sangakkara to duck and weave and striking Jayawardene on the hand, which required treatment before he could continue.

The pair kept their composure, however, to see off the threat and lay the platform for a sizeable lead.

The West Indies pacement could not make further inroads, however, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had turned to spin when the weather closed in.