GALLE: Kumar Sangakkara struck his 37th test hundred as he and his retiring team mate Mahela Jayawardene pushed Sri Lanka closer towards Pakistan's first innings total of 451 on the third day of the second test.

The hosts cruised to 252 for two wickets, still trailing Pakistan by 199 runs, when rain forced tea six minutes before the scheduled break.

Sangakkara's unbeaten 102, off 218 balls with 13 fours in it, was his 10th century against Pakistan while Jayawardene was batting on 55.

The pair have added 108 runs for the third wicket, the 18th century partnership between them.

Sangakkara brought up his century shortly before the break with a cut through point off left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman for four as he and Jayawardene denied Pakistan any success in the rain-shortened afternoon session that allowed only 85 minutes of play.

Both the batsmen survived lbw appeals through the review system.

Jayawardene, on 11, did not offer a stroke to a ball from Junaid Khan and was given out by the umpire but after he called for a review the replays showed the ball was missing the off stump and he was given a reprieve.

Pakistan lost a review of an lbw decision against Sangakkara when he was on 62, also off Junaid, where the point of impact was outside the off stump.

The only wicket to fall in the morning session was that of opener Kaushal Silva, who was out for 64 off 140 balls with 11 fours in his compact innings.

Silva shared a 120-run stand with Sangakkara but was out to Mohammad Talha when he got a thick edge to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who dived forward to hold a fine catch.

Jayawardene, playing his final test at this venue, walked out to an explosion of firecrackers and guard of honour given by local schoolboys.

He got off the mark with a single and off the third ball square drove Ajmal for four to signal his positive intentions.