Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody criticised the pitch and not his batsmen after the West Indies bowled out the hosts for 150 on the first day of the second Test on Friday.
Sri Lanka were bowled out in just 46.1 overs after being put in to bat. Daren Powell took a career-best five for 25 and Tino Best claimed three for 50.
"It was a mixed day of awkward cricket and both teams found it difficult," Moody told reporters afterwards.
"On a couple of occasions we let ourselves down with poor shot selection, but we were a bit surprised with how the pitch played and it was pretty tough out there at times," he added.
"When the ball is going through the top on the first day of a Test match and batsmen are being hit it is difficult to make assessments on form and I am not prepared to make judgements...in these conditions," he added.
West Indies finished the day on 92 for five, trailing Sri Lanka by 58 runs.
Moody hopes his batsmen will fare better in the second innings and then make life difficult for the West Indies.
"I would not want to be batting last on this wicket so it was not a bad toss to lose."
Sri Lanka also hope that Muttiah Muralitharan will recover overnight from a lingering flu bug that meant he could bowl only three overs.
"It was unfortunate for us that Murali is still suffering with the flu and was feeling a bit dizzy," said Moody.
"If he had been 100 percent fit the scoreline might be a little different."
Powell believes the match is on a knifedge going into the second day and he was delighted with his performance.
"I have been working really hard in the last seven months and hopefully this is the start of things to come."
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