Kumar Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 72 to guide Sri Lanka to 175 for four at tea on the second day of the deciding third test against India on Saturday.
Sri Lanka had resumed on 14-1 after bowling India out for 249 and added 100 runs in the 28-over morning session for the loss of only Michael Vandort (14).
However, India struck back in a tense post-lunch session with Harbhajan Singh claiming the wickets of night-watchman Chaminda Vaas for a valuable 47 and Mahela Jayawardene for two.
Middle order batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who was 21 not out at the break, then shared a slow-scoring 34-run partnership with Sangakkara to leave Sri Lanka still trailing India by 74 runs at the interval.
Harbhajan, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the second test in Galle, was the most successful of the bowlers with figures of 2-61 from 23 overs.
Earlier, Zaheer Khan provided early hope for the Indians by trapping Vandort lbw with an inswinger.
He also came close to dismissing Sangakkara without scoring, when a thick edge flew just wide of the man at gully.
However, the patient Vaas and more aggressive Sangakkara were able to see off the early threat of the new ball and when batting became easier, a partnership started to blossom.
Sri Lanka had resumed on 14-1 after bowling India out for 249 and added 100 runs in the 28-over morning session for the loss of only Michael Vandort (14).
However, India struck back in a tense post-lunch session with Harbhajan Singh claiming the wickets of night-watchman Chaminda Vaas for a valuable 47 and Mahela Jayawardene for two.
Middle order batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who was 21 not out at the break, then shared a slow-scoring 34-run partnership with Sangakkara to leave Sri Lanka still trailing India by 74 runs at the interval.
Harbhajan, who claimed a ten-wicket haul in the second test in Galle, was the most successful of the bowlers with figures of 2-61 from 23 overs.
Earlier, Zaheer Khan provided early hope for the Indians by trapping Vandort lbw with an inswinger.
He also came close to dismissing Sangakkara without scoring, when a thick edge flew just wide of the man at gully.
However, the patient Vaas and more aggressive Sangakkara were able to see off the early threat of the new ball and when batting became easier, a partnership started to blossom.
DROPPED CHANCE
India, though, were left ruing a dropped chance at slip by Rahul Dravid when Sangakkara was on 36 just before lunch.
Vaas and Sangakkara extended their partnership after the interval but India's bowling improved and the run-scoring slowed.
Eventually, the pressure told when Vaas mistimed a drive to short cover, having scored his runs from 111 balls with nine boundaries, ending a 95-run partnership.
Harbhajan then dismissed the Sri Lanka captain, who misjudged the length and was trapped lbw, a decision he appealed against unsuccessfully.
India were convinced they also had Samaraweera trapped lbw on five, Anil Kumble calling for a review when the initial appeal was turned down.
The television umpire gave Samaraweera the benefit of doubt, deciding not to overrule the original decision, visibly upsetting the India dressing room.
A couple of overs later, India's frustration mounted as Samaraweera successfully called for a review after been given out caught at short leg.
Sri Lanka weathered that difficult spell and started to score more freely just before tea.
The three-match series is tied at 1-1.
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India, though, were left ruing a dropped chance at slip by Rahul Dravid when Sangakkara was on 36 just before lunch.
Vaas and Sangakkara extended their partnership after the interval but India's bowling improved and the run-scoring slowed.
Eventually, the pressure told when Vaas mistimed a drive to short cover, having scored his runs from 111 balls with nine boundaries, ending a 95-run partnership.
Harbhajan then dismissed the Sri Lanka captain, who misjudged the length and was trapped lbw, a decision he appealed against unsuccessfully.
India were convinced they also had Samaraweera trapped lbw on five, Anil Kumble calling for a review when the initial appeal was turned down.
The television umpire gave Samaraweera the benefit of doubt, deciding not to overrule the original decision, visibly upsetting the India dressing room.
A couple of overs later, India's frustration mounted as Samaraweera successfully called for a review after been given out caught at short leg.
Sri Lanka weathered that difficult spell and started to score more freely just before tea.
The three-match series is tied at 1-1.
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