Sri Lanka dropped former captain Dinesh Chandimal to make way for the return of Angelo Mathews and had to bowl first after losing the toss Wednesday in the series-opening Test against Bangladesh.
The 33-year-old Mathews missed the drawn two-Test series in the Caribbean but his return for the two-Test home series against Bangladesh meant Sri Lanka selectors had to make a difficult call on which batsman to leave out.
The pitch at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium retained a nice grass cover but that didn't deter Bangladesh from batting first.
Lahiru Kumara, a right-arm pace bowler from Kandy who missed the West Indies series after testing positive for COVID-19, was recalled to Sri Lanka's attack.
Bangladesh are without the services of Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, who are playing in the Indian Premier League.
Lineups
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (capt), Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain, Mehidy Hassan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Saif Hassan.
Australian Associated Press
