India was bowled out for its lowest Test score against Sri Lanka during the final day of the ineffectual series opener at Chennai.
The match ended in an inevitable draw after play only managed to get underway after tea on day four, torrential rain ruining any chance of a result.
The home side lost eight wickets for 77, crumbling to be all out for 167.
Sri Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas was the pick of the bowlers with a sound 4-20 from his 21 overs, now just two dismissals short of 300 Test wickets.
The visitors edged past the India's first innings total in the final session of the match, Sri Lanka ending the Test on 168-4.
Star Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar's hopes of a world record 35th Test century were dashed early in the day's proceedings when world-class spinner Muttiah Muralitharan trapped him in front of the stumps.
The second Test in Delhi begins this weekend.