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Bangladesh have managed to take early wickets as hosts Sri Lanka have 259 runs lead on board in their second innings during the second Test at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz got the wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne (2), while Taijul Islam bagged Oshada Fernando for 1. The Lankans post 17 for 2 in the end of the day three.

Earlier, Bangladesh have scored 251 runs in reply to Sri Lanka’s 493 in the first innings on day three.

Debutant Praveen Jayawickrama shined on his first Test as he bagged six wickets for the team. Bangladesh was in trouble following the departure of skipper Mominul Haque (49) during the third session. The wickets began to fall regularly, other than Mehedi Hasan Miraz's 16 runs, no other batsmen reached double figures.

While the wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim departed on 40 runs during the last over of the second session. They added 63 runs for the fouth wicket partnership.

Sri Lanka got two wickets late in the first session after Tamim Iqbal led Bangladesh to a good start, he added 98 runs with Saif Hassan for the opening stand. Tamim Iqbal made a half-century, his fourth half-century in a row in Tests, unfortunately had to return scoring 92 runs off 150 balls, hitting 12 boundaries.

Debutant Praveen Jayawickrama returned Tamim and Saif, who was out for 25 runs just before the Lunch. After Saif, the left-handed batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto returned for his second consecutive duck, caught at first slip off Mendis.

On the third morning, Sri Lanka declared their innings on 493 for 7 after the wicket of Ramesh Mendis, who was trapped in the deep by Taskin Ahmed.

Niroshan Dickwella was unbeaten on 77, having struck eight fours and a six. Mendis made 33 off 68 balls, they added 111 runs for the seventh wicket partnership.

Taskin bagged four wickets, debutant Shoriful Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam took one wicket each for the side.

Earlier, the hosts reached 291 for 1 on the first day, with openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne adding 209 for the opening stand. Both made centuries with Thirimanne 140 and skipper Karunaratne 118.