Overnight rain delayed the start of play by 55 minutes as Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful decided to declare their first innings on the previous day's 245 for eight. The second-string side, who got only 36.3 overs to bat before rain again stopped play in the mid-afternoon session, reached 170 for four at stumps.

With the skies opening up, heavy rain gripped Colombo and it is believed that weather will play a big part in the series, which will see three Tests and as many one-day internationals.

"Yes, we are a bit frustrated by the conditions but at least, we got the chance to see what's coming," said the Tigers' interim coach Shaun Williams after the match.

"It was a decent start. Not that everyone carried on to have a big score, but almost everyone got a start. At least the boys tried to stay out in the middle," Williams said of Bangladesh's batting efforts.

"It was a good news that Habibul (Bashar) returned among the runs," the Australian said of the former Bangladesh captain, who top scored in the first innings with 63.

"Ashraful also looked confident and so did a few others. I am happy that we got closer to what I wanted in our first match. The fact that they have batted 104 overs proves that it has been improving," he added.

"I would have been happy had we got the chance to play the full match," said Ashraful, who completed his first match as Bangladesh captain.

"Rain hampered our preparation at home and I feel it is going to play a big role in the series here too," the ace batsman told.

When asked why the declaration came in the morning, he defended his decision.

"Mushfiqur (Rahim) had a chance to score a fifty and it would have been better to give him some time with the bat. But in a warm-up match that's not very important. I needed to see my bowlers because with the overcast condition prevailing from the last day, I was worried how much time I would get for them.

"Overall, it was a good start because we usually do not get along well in tour openers. There is nothing to be worried about and it will definitely boost the confidence of the team," said Ashraful.

Back to the day's proceedings and openers Michael Vandort and Mahela Udawatte batted aggressively in the morning session to rattle 61 runs before Vandort fell to a smart catch by wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud off left-arm seamer Syed Rasel for 38.

Recalled to the Test squad, the left-handed Vandort cracked five boundaries in his 42-ball knock. But his dismissal did not dampen the spirits of his partner Udawatte as the 20-year-old left-hander smashed his way to a run-ball-fifty.

But the introduction of spin brought his downfall as left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq, recalled into the Test fold after being ignored during the home series against India, got him out for 53. Udawatte struck a six and eight fours in his 52-ball stint at the crease.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan then had Sri Lanka A captain Thilan Samaraweera, coming in at number three, bowled for 30.

Both Razzaq and Shakib made an impression as their arrival prompted the hosts to take rearguard action and the impressive run-rate started to come down.

All-rounder Mohammad Sharif then took the wicket of left-hander Jehan Mubarak as he had the lanky batsman out bowled for only 11.

Two overs after the dismissal, rain again appeared and as the covers were re-introduced, the match was almost surely at its end.

As the top order was dismissed, wicketkeeper-batsman Prasanna Jayawardene was unbeaten on 31 alongside robust batsman Thilina Kandamby, who had just arrived at the crease, on 1 off 4 deliveries.