Tharanga Paranavitana hit a vital half-century under pressure to keep alive Sri Lanka's hopes of salvaging a draw in the opening Test against the West Indies on Friday.

The left-handed opener was unbeaten on 83 as Sri Lanka reached 159-2 in their second innings at lunch on the fifth and final day after conceding a 202-run lead. The hosts now trail by 43 runs with eight wickets in hand.