The islanders thus drew first blood in the three-match one-day series.

Bangladesh seized their much-needed momentum in the opener courtesy a valiant effort from the bowlers after Mohammad Ashraful won his first toss in the series and put in the opponents in seeking the early morning advantage.

But in the end they had to leave the field with their heads down after being bundled out for 164 with nearly ten overs to spare.

Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim dropped opener Upul Tharanga, who later anchored the innings with a 104-ball 57 with help of seven boundaries, in the very first over and there were three more opportunities missed by the fielders. Still, the bowlers did not lose their hearts to restrict the much-vaunted Sri Lankan batting line-up to only 234-6.

Pace spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza finally got back his rhythm to scalp 2-31 while his new-ball partner Syed Rasel stuck to his reputation of providing early breakthroughs by claiming the prize scalps of Sanath Jayasuriya (21) and Mahela Jayewardene (2).

A perfect support also came in the form of Forhad Reza and Abdur Razzak in the middle to ensure a happy lunch for their side.

Hopes were high for another heroic effort from the Tigers when dashing Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees, who scored team highest 33 off 38 balls, batted with a purpose to see off the new ball and lay a solid foundation.

But they lost five wickets in the span of eleven runs after left-hander Tamim, toiling in a 39-ball 11, walked back to the pavilion giving a catch to Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene at slip off wrecker-in-chief Dilhara Fernando to end the 45-run partnership.

A repeat of the all too familiar batting collapse saw Bangladesh reduced to 56-5 and they never recovered despite brief resistance from the tail-enders -- Mushfiqur (28), Forhad (28) and Razzak (28).

Forhad and Razzak showed their big-hitting abilities by smashing three sixes each, on all the occasions spinners Jayasuriya and Malinda Bandara were at the receiving end but by that time the fate of the match was already decided.

Tushar Imran and Shakib Al Hasan made ducks to ensure the collapse but the Bangladesh skipper was the main culprit as the right-hander unnecessarily tried to pull a short-pitched delivery from Fernando only to give a catch to Farveez Mahroof at fine leg.

The well-built right-arm paceman Fernando returned with his career-best 4-24 to be adjudged man of the match.

Earlier, Chamara Silva combined with Tharanga to lift the hosts out of trouble during an 83-run stand for the fourth wicket as Sri Lanka managed a decent total from a tottering 67-3.

Chamara scored a 76-ball 65 with eight boundaries and an over boundary.

The second match will take place at the Premadasa Stadium on July 23.