Essex centurions Tom Westley and Jaik Mickleburgh consigned Sri Lanka to a second successive chastening day in Chelmsford at the start of their Test tour.
Angelo Mathews' team, who began their summer by being bowled out for 254 as teenager Aaron Beard bagged four wickets on his first-class debut, had no answer as Mickleburgh (109) and Westley (108) took over this time.
Essex reached 4-412 declared on Monday, after half-centuries too from Ravi Bopara (87 not out) and Dan Lawrence (57 not out).
Sri Lanka then closed day two of three on 2-42, after Kaushal Silva fell lbw, a Beard victim for the second time in the match, and then Kusal Mendis went to a late slip catch off Matt Dixon.
Westley joined opener Mickleburgh at start of play, following the departure of nightwatchman Tom Moore the previous evening, and the pair put on 132 in 35 overs for the third wicket.
An attack described by Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya as the best in the world appeared some way short of that billing, with one more outing scheduled before the first Test at Headingley next week.
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