Pallekele: Rangana Herath bagged three quick wickets before the West Indies reached 303/8 in their first innings when rain stopped play on Day 4 of the third and final Test on Saturday.
Sulieman Benn was unbeaten on 29 with the help of two sixes and Kemar Roach on 12 not out at the break when rain stopped play in the morning session.
The series is tied 0-0 following rain-hit Tests in Colombo and Galle.
The West Indies added 53 runs to their Thursday's total of 244/5 in 20 overs bowled in the morning, with left-arm spinner Herath being the only successful bowler.
Only 1.3 overs bowled in second session while last session completely washes out. No play was possible on Friday due to rain.
Herath has so far taken four wickets for 54 runs in the innings and spinner Ajantha Mendis two. Seamers Suranga Lakmal and Dilhara Fernando have bagged one wicket apiece.
Sri Lanka started the day with a double-spin attack and instantly got a wicket when Brendan Nash (67) was caught behind attempting to sweep Herath in the morning's second over.
Nash could add only five runs to his Thursday score of 62, hitting five fours in a 117-ball knock for his second half-century of the series.
Herath struck in his next over when he dismissed Carlton Baugh (two), who was trapped leg-before while trying to sweep.
Skipper Darren Sammy, who could score just two runs in as many innings before this match, failed again when he was trapped leg-before by Herath for eight runs.
Herath took three wickets for 24 runs in his morning's 10-over spell.
Brief scores
West Indies 303 for 8 (DM Bravo 68, Nash 67, Herath 4-54)