Kirsten is the first South African to hit 6,000 runs

But Marvan Atapattu played on to a delivery from South African captain Shaun Pollock soon after lunch for 34 to spark a collapse.

Jayasuriya joined Mahela Jayawardene to put on 51 for the fourth wicket before Kallis struck to dismiss both batsmen in the space of three deliveries.

Jayawardene edged to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher on 39 and Jayasuriya was surprised by a short-pitched delivery and could only fend the ball to Graeme Smith after hitting 32.

Hasantha Fernando had a rush of blood on his Test debut and mis-timed a hook off Kallis to Kirsten at square leg.

Kallis then pouched a catch at second slip as Andrew Hall found the shoulder of Chaminda Vaas's bat.

Played on

Dilhara Fernando played on to Pollock and Muttiah Muralitharan struck a six and a four before hooking Hall to a diving Makhaya Ntini at deep fine leg.

Hashan Tillekeratne scored a useful 24, but was run out to end Sri Lanka's innings.

Ruchira Perera beat the bat several times in the gloom as South Africa started their reply.

But Dilhara Fernando bowled eight no-balls and a wide in three dismal overs that cost 28 runs.

Kirsten finished the day unbeaten on 21 with Smith 15 not out.

Sri Lanka: MS Atapattu, RP Arnold, +KC Sangakkara, DPMD Jayawardene, *ST Jayasuriya, HP Tillakaratne, KHRK Fernando, WPUJC Vaas, M Muralitharan, CRD Fernando, PDRL Perera.

South Africa: GC Smith, G Kirsten, M van Jaarsveld, JH Kallis, ND McKenzie, AG Prince, +MV Boucher, AJ Hall, *SM Pollock, S Elworthy, M Ntini.