Ramdin, a 19-year-old wicket-keeper from Trinidad, hit 56 and Morton contributed 43 as the West Indies closed the opening day at a creditable 271-6 at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Chanderpaul, leading a badly depleted team that is missing 10 top stars, including the world's leading batsman Brian Lara, made an unbeaten 69 before bad light ended play eight overs early.

Number eight Omari Banks stood his ground for two hours for 30 not out, helping Chanderpaul add 79 priceless runs for the unbroken seventh wicket.

Lara was among the 10 who refused to sign tour contracts amid a protracted sponsorship row with the West Indies Cricket Board.

The 87-Test veteran Chander-paul was left to lead a motley collection of players of whom none had played more than 10 Tests before the series began. Six were absolute rookies.

Sri Lanka, celebrating their 150th Test match, were stung by the rivals' fightback after watching the tourists being shot out for 110 in a practice game over the weekend.

"It was great to see the batsmen put their heads down," said the West Indies' Australian coach Benett King.

"I think others were more surprised by the performance. I was not surprised at all. There is lot of talent out there."

Sri Lanka's new Australian coach Tom Moody was equally impressed by the West Indian display.

"They showed a lot of character out there, especially young Ramdin," said Moody.

"Test cricket can change very quickly. This was the first day of five. We just need to hang in there and fight hard. I look forward to day two."

The West Indies went to lunch at 105-3 as Morton and opener Sylvester Joseph put on 58 for the second wicket after Chaminda Vaas claimed Xavier Marshall leg-before for 10 in the third over.

The tourists slipped to 113-5 soon after lunch when Lasith Malinga, working up hostile pace with an unusual round-arm slinging action, dismissed Narsingh Deonarine and Dwayne Smith in the space of three deliveries.

Ramdin showed no signs of nerves in his maiden international appearance by smashing the first two deliveries from Malinga for boundaries.

With encouragement from Chanderpaul at the other end, Ramdin settled in to hit nine boundaries during a sparkling sixth-wicket stand of 79 runs in 84 minutes with his captain.

Ramdin's heroic knock ended shortly before tea when he played on to a delivery from Gayan Wijekoon.

Sri Lanka brought in rookie all-rounder Wijekoon to form a three-man seam attack alongside Vaas and Malinga.

The West Indies gave first Test caps to Marshall, Morton and Ramdin.