Gayle was involved in stands of 110 with Adrian Barath (50) and 196 with Darren Bravo (58) at Galle International Stadium in scoring his third Test double hundred.

After a tentative start, the left-handed Jamaican launched into a brutal attack, plundering 18 runs in one over from off spinner Suraj Randiv to reach his century.

Having hit a massive six over long off to bring up his century, Gayle lay down on the pitch with his arms and legs outstretched.

On Tuesday, Gayle will try and pass his highest Test score of 317, made against South Africa at Antigua in 2005.

The innings of Bravo, on Test debut, was more sedate, facing 159 balls before mistiming a pull shot against spinner Ajantha Mendis to be caught at square leg by Thilan Samaraweera.

Barath was earlier caught at slip by Mahela Jayawardene off Randiv, who finished with 1-144 from 32 overs. Mendis took 1-90 from 29 overs.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was 20 not out at stumps.