Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets to punish Sri Lanka soon after India declared its first innings on 9-622 on day two of the second Test.
At the end of day two on Friday the hosts were 2-50.
Ashwin broke through in the second over of the innings when he had Upul Tharanga caught by Lokesh Rahul with the team yet to score. Dimuth Karunaratne showed promise, scoring 25 runs before Ajinkya Rahane took a low catch at slip to dismiss him off Ashwin.
Kusal Mendis (16) and Dinesh Chandimal (8) were batting at the close, with Ashwin taking 2-38 in 10 overs.
Earlier Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane scored centuries and four other batsmen scored half-centuries to help India to a massive score.
Pujara made 133 - his second straight Test century after his 153 in the first innings of the first Test. He faced 232 deliveries and hit 11 boundaries and a six. He was out lbw to seamer Karunaratne.
Pujara and Rahane added 217 runs for the fourth wicket.
Rahane was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella for spinner Malinda Pushpakumara's maiden international wicket. He made 132, facing 222 deliveries and hitting 14 boundaries.
Rahane, who had not scored a century in nine games, said he had remained confident throughout that time.
"Coming into the game we knew that they will give us a spinning track and after day one we knew it was not going to be easy for batsmen," Rahane said.
"Yes, I was visualising in the dressing room and in my room just thinking what are the good shots on this wicket and how I am going to dominate their spinners."
Ravindra Jadeja (70 not out), Wriddhiman Saha (67), Rahul (57) and Ashwin (54) all contributed half-centuries. Spinner Rangana Herath returned best bowling figures of 4-154 for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka still trail by 572 runs and will need to score at least 372 runs to avoid following on.
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