Harmison leads England fightback

Fast bowler Harmison sent back left-hander Sangakkara with a bouncer and then had Chamara Silva held at first slip as the runs dried up for Sri Lanka in the evening session.

That gave Harmison a three-wicket haul and left the hosts on 147 for four when bad light brought about a premature close at 5.12pm.

England were made to toil in the stifling heat until Sangakkara (46) picked out Monty Panesar at backward square with a spooned pull from outside off-stump.

That sparked jubilant celebrations from Panesar, who ran 40 yards to jump into Harmison's arms.

When Silva nicked to Ian Bell, having scored one from 26 deliveries, it was reward for a fine spell from Harmison, who finished with figures of three for 28.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 51.

Earlier, England claimed two pre-lunch wickets via fortuitous leg-before dismissals as umpiring decisions proved the focus of a delayed first session.

Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf adjudged Sri Lankan openers Michael Vandort and Upul Tharanga lbw to give Ryan Sidebottom and Harmison early successes.

England also believed they had snared Sangakkara caught behind on two, in between those two, but umpire Daryl Harper did not agree.