Sri Lanka now head for the second and the final Test of the series, which starts at Bogra on Wednesday, with a 1-0 lead.

Bangladesh, who suffered their sixth defeat to the islanders in as many meetings, have lost 36 of their 41 Tests. However, Habibul Bashar's men had some solace after avoiding their fifth innings defeat against the Lankans who resumed the fourth day on 25 without loss.

Needing further 138 runs to reach the target, Sri Lanka coasted to 166-2 just before the end of the first session with Michael Vandort making an unbeaten 64. The casualties were Upul Tharanga (19) and Kumar Sangakkara, who made 46.

Left-arm pacer Syed Rasel hit early inroads like the first innings when he had Upul Tharanga caught at second slip without any addition to the overnight score. It was only the fifth ball of the morning and Shahriar Nafees took a sharp catch.

The home side's celebration did not last long as in-form Sangakkara joined opener Vandort to steady the innings. The pair cashed in quick runs and added 90 for the second wicket before southpaw Sangakkara offered a return catch to left-arm spinner Enamul Haque.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene finished the chase in style as the right-hander executed a well-timed cover drive against Mohammad Ashraful to guide the side home in 37 overs. Jayawardene was not out with a 25-ball 26.

Ace Bangladesh batsman Ashraful, however, took the centre stage at the presentation ceremony when he was declared the man-of-the-match for his heroic 136 in the first innings.

"I'm happy with this award but it could have been much better for me if I could contribute something in the second innings. I still believe that if we had put on 100 more runs on the board in the second innings, it would have been a different story altogether," said Ashraful.