CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Feb 25, 2006 (AFP) - Vice captain Kumar Sangakkara struck a superb century as Sri Lanka scored an imposing 309-7 in the final one-day international against Bangladesh here on Saturday.

Sangakkara's 109 put Sri Lanka in a strong position to wrap up the three-match series which is level 1-1 after their shock four-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Bogra on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old left-hander struck 11 fours in his fifth one-day ton and was associated in two important partnerships with captain Mahela Jayawardene (51) and Kaushal Lokuarachchi (69).

After Bangladesh paceman Mashrafe Mortaza had removed openers Upul Tharanga (zero) and Sanath Jayasuriya (four) early on, Sangakkara and Jayawardene added 75 runs to steady the innings from 17-2.

Jayawardene struck eight fours during a brisk knock before giving a return catch to left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who also dismissed a dangerous Lokuarachchi and Sangakkara to finish with 3-61.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara's association with Lokuarachchi put the visiting side in control as Lokuarachchi showed his aggressive intentions from early on.

The pair added 104 for the fourth wicket in less than 18 overs as Lokuarachchi produced an entertaining 57-ball knock during which he struck four boundaries and three sixes.

He got off the mark with a six to Rafique over mid-wicket and followed it with one each to seamer Aftab Ahmed and leg-spinner Alok Kapali.

Farveez Maharoof then slammed three sixes and a four in a cameo 27 off just nine balls while Chamara Kapugedera got 16 from as many deliveries to take the total past the 300-run mark.

Sri Lanka had scored an easy five-wicket win in the opening match in Bogra but the home side registered their maiden international win over Sri Lanka in the second match.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka play a two-Test series starting in Chittagong on February 28 with the second match in Bogra from March 8.

Scoreboard

U. Tharanga c Nafees b Mortaza 0

S. Jayasuriya c Baisya b Mortaza 4

K. Sangakkara b Rafique 109

M. Jayawardene c and b Rafique 51

K. Lokuarachchi b Rafique 69

T. Dilshan c Ashraful b Rasel 22

C. Kapugedera c Bashar b Rasel 16

Farveez Maharoof not out 27

M. Bandara not out 3

Extras (lb1, w6, nb1) 8

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-17, 3-92, 4-196, 5-258, 6-263, 7-282

Bowling: Mortaza 10-2-71-2, Rasel 10-1-46-2, Baisya 5-0-43-0, Rafique 10-0-61-3, Kapali 10-1-50-0, Rana 2-0-15-0, Ahmed 3-0-22-0