Malinda Warnapura and Mahela Jayawardene each smashed centuries as Sri Lanka coasted to a position of strength on the second day of the first Test against India on Thursday.

Harbhajan Singh struck in his first over after lunch to get rid of Warnapura (110), but that was the only success the Indian bowlers enjoyed.

Jaywardene was still at the crease on 105 and with him was Samaraweera on 51 as the Sri Lankans reached 305 for three at tea.

Sri Lanka had progressed without the loss of a wicket in the first session in the morning, a tardy bowling performance helping them consolidate quickly.

Paceman Ishant Sharma particularly struggled, conceding six, eight and 12 runs in his first three overs respectively.

He was removed from the attack as Anil Kumble brought himself on to bowl, but the runs continued to flow steadily and India's decision to play only two seamers seemed to hurt.

Warnapura, 29, playing in only his fifth Test, reached his century when he hit Ishant for a boundary. The left-handed opener looked in good touch, easily negating the threat from the spinners with good use of the feet.

He departed shortly after lunch, stabbing at a delivery from Harbhajan which bounced a little more than usual and only finding the safe hands of Rahul Dravid in the slips.

Warnapura and Jayawardene had added 155 runs for the third wicket and the Sri Lankan skipper continued to take a heavy toll on India's bowlers as he closed in on a century.

He twice survived dropped catches by wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, both off the bowling of Kumble. The first reprieve came when he was on 55 when he attempted to cut a delivery.

Karthik, who was named in the team after Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted out, failed to glove the edge which flew off the bottom of the bat.

Jaywardene was on 93 when Karthik spilt another edge.

The Sri Lankan skipper reached his 23rd Test century when he scrambled a single off the bowling of Kumble.

The umpire referral system, which is being trialled in the series, came into use for the first time when India asked for a review of a leg-before decision.

Harbhajan struck Warnapura on the pads with a delivery that pitched on middle stump and seemed to be going down leg. Their appeal was turned down by referee Mark Benson.

Kumble challenged the decision and the umpire referred it to third umpire Rudi Koertzen, who endorsed Benson's not-out decision.

The decision leaves India with only two challenges remaining.

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