Riding on fast bowler Kemar Roach's two quick wickets, West Indies had reduced Sri Lanka to 60 for three in 19 overs when heavens opened up and interrupted the play.
With rain refusing to abate, the play was called off for the day and it will now resume on the reserve day tomorrow with Sri Lanka at 60 for three in 19 overs.
Earlier, after winning the toss, West Indies stand-in skipper Kieron Pollard elected to bowl first and his bowlers didn't disappoint as they put Sri Lankan openers Mahela Jayawardene (7) and Upul Tharanga (7) under pressure right from the start.
Jayawardene still managed a boundary in the third delivery when he tapped one fine to brought up the first four. Tharanga also picked up a four when he cut Roach over the point in the third over.
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Holder was rewarded for his bowling early on as he struck the first blow, removing Tharanga in the last ball of the fourth over with Darren Bravo taking a good catch.
Roach, who almost had Tharanga in his second over, too had his scalp when he deceived Jayawardene with his sharp bouncer which got the thick edge of the bat and then hit the helmet before landing at the safe hands of Devon Smith.
Runs dried up after that as the two new batsman -- Kumar Sangakkara (11) and Lahiru Thirimanne (13) tried to steady the innings.