292 is a good total on this pitch - Paranavitana

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 292 on the first day in Galle and their top scorer, opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who spent three hours on his 72, said the conditions were not ideal for batting.

"There was dampness on the wicket and the ball seamed the whole day," Paranavitana said. "It was not easy batting on this wicket. I stuck to my basics so I was able to score runs."

Paranavitana reached his maiden Test half-century from 67 balls but took another 58 to score the next 21. He said it was important to get runs off every bad delivery.

"There wasn't any one particular bowler but all the bowlers were difficult to negotiate on that surface. Because of the rains and the wicket being kept covered there is moisture on the surface. You cannot say when you will get a good ball. It's not an easy wicket to bat on. It is important to get runs off every bad delivery. By doing that you put the bowlers on the back foot."

Paranavitana lost his opening partner Malinda Warnapura in the second over of the innings and four overs later Kumar Sangakkara fell for 9, reducing Sri Lanka to 21 for 2. Paranavitana then rallied with the middle order, adding 75 with Mahela Jayawardene, and took his side to 139 before falling after lunch.

According to him the way the wicket is playing, Sri Lanka's total of 292 was a good one. "It's not easy to score runs on this wicket because the ball moves consistently both ways off the wicket. Getting 40-50 runs and getting out is a big disappointment but I also suffered the same fate."

Paranavitana said he maimed to score a century or two in the series. "I know if I am to retain my position in the team I have to make runs. I won't get a place in the national team every time."