Colombo, Aug. 25 -- Sonal Dinusha's gritty unbeaten 85 kept Sri Lanka's hopes alive as rain forced an early end to the third day's play in the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka ended the day at 265/8, still 239 runs behind India's mammoth first-innings total of 503/9 declared. The hosts need another 39 runs to avoid the follow-on, with Dinusha and Lahiru Kumara unbeaten on 85 and eight runs respectively.

Dinusha has been the major obstacle in India's push to wrap up Sri Lanka's innings. He has added an unbeaten 35 runs with Kumara for the ninth wicket, helping the hosts survive a late onslaught from the Indian bowlers.

The second new ball was taken in the 81st over, but rain soon interrupted p...