Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 259 runs in the first Test

GALLE: Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 259 runs in the first Test in Galle to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series on Saturday.

Skipper Rangana Herath claimed 6-59 runs as the hosts dismissed Bangladesh for 197 runs in the second innings in less than two sessions on the fifth day after the visitors resumed their batting on 67-0 in the morning.

His 23rd five-wicket haul in Tests took Herath's tally to 366 wickets in Test cricket, making him the most successful left-arm spinner in Test history, overtaking New Zealand's Daniel Vettori.

Opener Soumya Sarkar made highest 53 runs for Bangladesh in the second innings.