UPDATE 2-Cricket-Patient Sangakkara steers Sri Lanka into lead

(Updates at close)

COLOMBO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Kumar Sangakkara scored a patient five-hour 107 to guide Sri Lanka to 251 for six at stumps on the second day of the deciding third test against India on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, who had resumed on 14-1 after bowling India out for 249, finished the day with a slim two-run lead.

The unbeaten Sangakkara used all of his experience during a tense slow-scoring day to compile a 17th test century that spanned 226 deliveries and included 11 boundaries.

Wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene was one not out when bad light stopped play.

India's bowlers battled throughout the day with Harbhajan Singh claiming two for 81 from 31.3 overs.

Left-armer Zaheer Khan, the only seamer available when Ishant Sharma limped off with a buttock injury, finished with two for 57 from 20 overs.

Khan had provided early hope for the Indians by trapping opener Michael Vandort lbw for 14 with an inswinger.

He also came close to dismissing Sangakkara without scoring, when a thick edge flew just wide of the man at gully.