James Anderson (right) and the England bowlers toiled in the heat

England spent another day suffering in the field against the Sri Lanka Board President's XI as three players hit centuries on day two in Colombo.

Opener Upul Tharanga (112) reached his ton early on to press his Test claims.

Chamara Kapugedera smashed 141, adding 142 with Thilina Kandamby (107 not out), the declaration came at 500-5 and rain then prevented any further play.

Paceman Steve Harmison's return to action was delayed until the afternoon as his bowling boots failed to arrive.

The President's XI had started the day on 218-3, and play began half an hour earlier than scheduled to make up the time which was lost to a thunderstorm on Tuesday.

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Without Harmison, captain Michael Vaughan had thrown the ball to fellow seamer James Anderson to begin the first over of the day.

However, as he was about to begin his run-up, the umpire halted Anderson as he had bowled the final over of the first day.

Monty Panesar had to open proceedings instead, and bowled for most of the morning session in tandem with fellow spinner Graeme Swann.

Tharanga, looking for a recall to the national side after Marvan Atapattu's retirement, added 20 runs to his overnight score of 92 before he slashed Matthew Hoggard to Ravi Bopara at gully to leave his side 255-4.

As well as the wicket, Hoggard's tight five-over morning spell included three maidens and yielded just four runs.

But England's fielders continued to toil in the heat as Kapugedera and Kandamby both survived some strong lbw appeals, while the latter was given not out after appearing to edge behind off Stuart Broad.

Kapugedera, who began the day on 48, reached his century before lunch and smashed three sixes and 16 fours before eventually hoisting Swann to Owais Shah on the midwicket boundary.

All 16 members of England's squad are able to feature during the game.

Harmison had been in South Africa to play for Highveld Lions while recovering from hernia surgery, and his favoured bowling boots were delayed in transit to Sri Lanka.

After tour manager Phil Neale had rushed to Colombo Airport to retrieve the boots - and, crucially, his special insoles - Harmison made a belated return to the attack.

He bowled four overs before tea and two more after the interval - yielding 48 runs while sending down a wide and six no-balls.

England's bowlers were finally given some respite when the declaration came with Kandamby having added 103 for the sixth wicket with keeper Kaushal Silva (54 not out).