They capitalised on some sloppy West Indies fielding and added 62 with a flurry of boundaries at a run-a-minute before Edwards stalled their progress in the second hour.

Warnapura, who hit 120 and 62 in the first Test victory, reeled off eight boundaries in 35 before edging Edwards to third slip. Opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, earning his first test cap on his 27th birthday, pouched a good low catch.

Warnapura should have been dismissed at 12 but Dwayne Bravo floored one of three catches the home team let slip on the day.

Vandort, too, benefited when Daren Powell failed to grasp a difficult, one-handed grab low to his right as the batsman miscued a full toss while on 10.

West Indies still went into lunch with the momentum at 89 for two as Edwards claimed the prize wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, the ICC's top-ranked batsman, just before the break.

Sangakkara snicked a comfortable catch through to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin after scoring 10.

The resumption after lunch was delayed by 20 minutes by the first shower, but the 26-year-old Edwards soon brightened the mood of a disappointing crowd of about 2,000.

Vandort spent 81 balls compiling 30 before he clipped a leg side catch through to Ramdin. The opener struck five fours.

Soon after Vandort's dismissal, rain returned at 98 for three and stalled play for another hour and a 15 minutes.

Taylor took up the mantle as the West Indies continued to dominate when the action restarted.

Thilan Samaraweera (6) never suggested permanence and provided Taylor with his 50th test wicket when he edged to captain Chris Gayle at first slip.

Taylor's 51st, which came five runs later, was even better. Skipper Mahela Jayawardena, who worked his way to 26 off 41 balls had off stump clipped by an outswinger of perfect length.

Tillekeratne Dilshan and Chamara Silva played with typical flourish before rain returned for the third time and drove the players off before tea.

The Sri Lankan pair maintained their momentum on resumption after an hour and 20 minutes delay.

The West Indies were disappointing and the busy right-handers batted with authority and ran urgently between the wickets to tilt the balance.

The home team missed their one chance to separate the pair before the end when Devon Smith at second slip let off Silva at 33 off Powell.