Earlier New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat with captain Ross Taylor leading the way with 72 from 62 balls including seven boundaries and two sixes. BJ Watling (55), Rob Nicol (46) and James Franklin (35) all made strong contributions as the Black Caps set a competitive total.
Taylor, who suffered a stomach bug heading into the match, is refusing to blame the conditions.
"It's just one of those things. We thought 250 was a competitive total but we probably let a few too many four in that first stage but you've got to give credit to Dilshan and Mahela they batted very well and put us under pressure.
"We gave it a good show but we just weren't good enough at the end of the day,'' he said.
"I vomited before I batted and not feeling 100 percent now but hopefully I can get back to the hotel and feel a bit better and try and pick myself up for the next game. But 70 runs was OK, wasn't feeling that great beforehand so I'll take it.''
Tom Latham opened the New Zealand innings in replace of Brendon McCullum who was ruled out because of a stiff lower back as the Otago youngster failed to make the most of the opportunity reaching two from 18 balls before he was bowled by Lasith Malinga.
Nicol and Watling got the innings back on track putting on 83 for the second wicket before Nicol got a faint edge through to Sangakkara giving Thisara Perera his sole wicket of the innings. Watling was then dismissed by a sharp catch from Jayawardene at short midwicket off the bowling of Rangana Herath leaving New Zealand 130-3.
Taylor and Franklin put on 91 and got New Zealand through to 221-3 before another fine catch saw the end of a fine innings by the New Zealand skipper with Angelo Mathews diving after cover for the dismissal.
McCullum (16) and Ellis (4) fell in the closing overs as New Zealand reached the 250 mark.
Mills struck early for New Zealand as Upul Tharanga edged through to wicketkeeper Watling for six after attempting a second straight pull shot in the fifth over, leaving Sri Lanka 21-1.
After 57 overs of uninterrupted play, the inevitable rain arrived and sent the players from the field for an hour.
Boult struck shortly after the return dismissing Kumar Sangakkara for 11, caught by Nicol at backward point, and the hosts were struggling at 39-2.
Dilshan (37) and Jayawardene got the innings back on track and ensured Sri Lanka were in position to claim victory once the rain arrived a second time.
McCullum did his best to disrupt their plans when he had Dilshan caught by Kane Williamson at midwicket with his second ball.
Mathews (7) joined Jayawardene and the Black Caps couldn't pick up a vital fourth wicket before the rain had the final say once again.
Malinga received man of the match honours after bookending the New Zealand innings with his two wickets.
The third ODI takes place in Pallekele on Tuesday night.
- nzherald.co.nz
