India 95 without loss after Sri Lanka's 642-4

Colombo: Kumar Sangakkara scored a classy 219 and Mahela Jayawardene struck 174 as Sri Lanka declared its first innings at 642-4 on day two of the second test against India on Tuesday.

Though the declaration came immediately after Jayawardene's dismissal in the final session, there was still time for India to start a determined reply with Virender Sehwag hitting an unbeaten half-century as the visitors reached 95 without loss in 18 overs.

Three batsmen scored centuries on a perfect batting pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club to help Sri Lanka build its impressive total.

Sangakkara's 219 came off 335 balls and included 29 boundaries. He was part of two century partnerships (174 and 193) with Tharanga Paranavitana and Jayawardene before being caught by Rahul Dravid in the slip off Sehwag soon after the lunch break.

Sangakkara's seventh double-century has put him equal on the third spot with England's Walter Hammond for the most 200s, behind the West Indies' Brian Lara (9) and Australia's Don Bradman (12).

Jayawardene struck his 174 off 240 balls, hitting 20 boundaries and a six. His 28th test hundred was his 10th at the Sinhalese Sports Club, surpassing Bradman's nine centuries at Melbourne Cricket Ground to become the highest century-maker at a single ground. However the Sri Lankan has appeared in 12 more matches at the venue than the Australian all time great played at MCG.

Paranavitana had made 100 and Thilan Samaraweera was unbeaten on 76 when Sri Lanka declared its first innings.

Jayawardene made light of the comparison with Bradman.

"He's played what 10 tests at MCG ? That's Sir Don for you. I needed 23 Tests. That caps it off," Jayawardene said. "He's a legend. It's a moment for me to remember."

As for the current test, Jayawardene made it clear that Sri Lanka's bowlers would be looking for a breakthrough on the third day.

"We know that they have some quality batsmen who can bat for long time," he said. "We need to make sure that we don't give them too many opportunities.

"We need to put lot of effort. The wicket is still good and we need to be smart about it. We need to first get wickets and then see whether we can get the next 1o."

Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha was upbeat about his team's chances.

"It's a good wicket," he said. "If we don't make any silly mistakes we can just bat on."

Sehwag returned bowling figures 1-71 while fellow spinners Ojha, Harbhajan Singh and seamer Ishant Sharma also captured a wicket each.

Sehwag more effective with the bat, rattling up 64 off 63 balls and hitting 12 boundaries during India's reply.

Murali Vijay, who came in as a a replacement to injured regular opener Gautam Gambhir, was 22 not out.

Sri Lanka won he first test at Galle last week to lead the three-match series 1-0.