Debutant Sri Lanka paceman Dammika Prasad took three wickets to halt India's impressive start to the third Test in Colombo.

The tourists, who levelled the three-match series with victory in Galle last week, continued to hold the upper hand early on but Prasad pegged them back to restrict Anil Kumble's side to 104 for three at lunch.

Opener Gautam Gambhir has proved the backbone of the India innings with an unbeaten 57.

He and opening partner Virender Sehwag came out with all guns blazing as India moved past the 50 mark in just the seventh over.

However, Sehwag perished shortly after, edging a Prasad ball which straightened to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene for 21.

Prasad then claimed the wickets of two Indian veterans.

First he trapped Rahul Dravid (10) leg before wicket, although the appeal was only successful after Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene asked third umpire Billy Doctrove to review the original call of not out from umpire Mark Benson.

And then he claimed the scalp of Sachin Tendulkar (six) lbw, with Tendulkar's appeal against the decision rejected.

Prasad finished the first session with figures of three for 49 from 10 overs.