Opener Kaushal Silva has hit a maiden Test century to lead a dominant batting display by Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Silva scored 139 as the tourists reached 375-5 by stumps at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium, a lead of 143 over Bangladesh’s first innings total of 232 with five wickets in hand.

The right-hander put on 118 for the first wicket with Dimuth Karunaratne (53) and then teamed up with veteran Kumar Sangakkara (75) to add a further 155 runs for the second wicket.

Sri Lanka will resume on Wednesday looking to grab a really sizeable lead and have the hosts on the ropes in the first match of the two-Test series.

“This has been a good day for us as a team and for me personally,” a delighted Silva told reporters on Tuesday.

“We now need to bat at least two more sessions and put up a big score.

“The wicket will slow down as the match progresses. If it starts to turn it will be hard work for the batsmen. The spinners will have a better chance on this pitch.”

Bangladesh’s bowlers, who managed just one wicket in the morning session on the even-paced pitch, claimed four in the post-tea period to slow Sri Lanka’s run spree.

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with three for 94, including the vital wicket of Silva.

Sri Lanka, who started the day on 60-0, had moved to 118 when left-hander Karunaratne was snapped up at short cover off Shakib just before lunch.

After a barren post-lunch period, Bangladesh removed Silva and Sangakkara in quick succession in the final session. They claimed two more wickets as Sri Lanka slipped from a comfortable 273-1 to 375-5.

Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 42 when play was called off soon after the dismissal of nightwatchman Suranga Lakmal in the final over, from Sohag Gazi.

The two Test matches will be followed by two Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals.