India hold a first-innings lead of 178 runs over Sri Lanka after the tourists took another step towards victory on day three of the first Test.

Sonal Dinusha scored his maiden Test century to help Sri Lanka avoid a follow-on, but they were bowled out for just 284 at stumps, which was called early due to more rain in the match.

India just added two runs to their overnight total before Prasidh Krishna (2) was dismissed by Asitha Fernando (2-63) as India posted a first-innings total of 462.

However, India made a fast start with the ball as Mohammed Siraj (1-29) removed Nishan Fernando (0) with just the second delivery of the innings, while Dinesh Chandimal (4) became Manav Suthar's first victim.

While Kamindu Mendis (14) and Dhananjaya de Silva (21) failed to build on good starts, Dinusha (100) and Niroshan Dickwella (80) stitched together a 146-run partnership to give Sri Lanka some hope.

Nevertheless, Krishna (1-47) managed to find the outside edge of Dickwella's bat before Dinusha was trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja (3-57) late in the day.

There was still time for Suthar, who ended with figures of 4-76, to send Prabath Jayasuriya (10) and Lahiru Kumara back to the stands as India remain in control of the Test.

Rain brings an end to Day 3 and that will be stumps!#TeamIndia lead by 178 runs.

Scorecard  https://t.co/M9LVyCAp8y#SLvIND https://t.co/cDy57I8vFD

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2026

Unwanted record goes on for Dickwella

Sri Lanka's spinners performed well on day two, and India's bowlers followed suit on Monday.

Suthar, Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav (1-64) combined for eight of India's 10 wickets as their pace duo of Siraj and Krishna bowled just nine and 14 overs, respectively.

Dinusha's maiden century in the longest format came at a timely moment for Sri Lanka, though Dickwella is still waiting to reach triple figures in Tests.

In fact, Dickwella holds the record for most Test half-centuries without a hundred, reaching the 50-run mark 23 times so far in his career.

And following his 80 off 115 in the first innings, only Shane Warne (3,154) has scored more Test runs without reaching a century than Dickwella (2,837).

India's greatest foe in this match seems to be the rain, so they may opt to bat hard early on day four before a quick declaration.