Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath claimed three wickets on the fourth day of the third test to restrict the West Indies to a first innings 303-8 at stumps, but heavy rain wiped out almost two sessions on Saturday.

Rain returned midway through the first session and only 15 deliveries were possible when the players returned after an early lunch.

Much of the play on previous days was also rained off after Sri Lanka won the toss and asked the visitors to bat.

Resuming the day on 244-5, West Indies lost Brendan Nash for 67 caught behind off Herath, who also dismissed Carlton Baugh for 2 and Darren Sammy for 8 in the morning session to finish with 4-54. Nash hit five boundaries in his 117-ball innings.

Sulieman Benn was 29 not out with Kemar Roach on 12.

Earlier Darren Bravo made 68, Devon Smith 55 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul with 54 runs also made useful contributions.

Out of 360 overs that should have been bowled thus far in the match, only 103 have been possible as the series heads towards a wet stalemate.