South Africa could find life difficult without paceman Ntini

Bad weather has washed out the opening triangular series one-day international between South Africa and Sri Lanka in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

The match will now be played on Tuesday, weather permitting.

A heavy thunderstorm drenched the Premadasa Stadium delaying the start and there was then another spell of rain which put paid to the match.

Sri Lanka, South Africa and India will play each other twice before the top two take part in the 29 August final.

There are reserve days for all of the matches.

Colombo was rocked by a bomb blast on Monday, close to where the India team are staying for the series.

There has been fatalities in the explosions although the India team are all safe.

When the match does get under way South Africa could be without key paceman Makhaya Ntini.

The match is the first of a tri-series also involving India and while Ntini is battling with a hamstring strain, Shaun Pollock's back problem has flared up.

"We will take a decision on Makhaya before the game, and Polly's doubtful," said South Africa captain Mark Boucher.

He himself is fit after a left elbow strain, while Sri Lanka are confident after a 5-0 win in England.

But home team captain Mahela Jayawardene, whose side beat South Africa 2-0 in the Tests, said complaceny had to be avoided.

The 29-year-old said: "We have done a lot of good things over the last three months and the challenge is to maintain those standards.

"We can't afford to be complacent.

"With all the technology available, teams will look at what we did and have their own plans to contain us."

Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Marvan Atapattu, Chamara Kapugedera, Prasanna Jayawardene, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Ruchira Perera.