Daryl Tuffey took three wickets as New Zealand made a solid start to their Sri Lanka tour by dismissing a Sri Lanka Development XI for 159 on day one of their three-day warm-up match.

Tuffey, who has not played international cricket for more than two years, finished with three for 41 off 10.4 overs after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat first in hot and humid conditions at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.

Sri Lankan openers Tharanga Paranavitana and Mahela Udawatte were both dismissed in the space of seven deliveries as their side slipped to 34 for two.

Only 19-year-old Dinesh Chandimal offered some resistance with 64 off 131 balls.

All the Black Caps bowlers were among the wickets with Chris Martin taking two for 13 off nine overs, skipper Daniel Vettori two for 29, Jeetan Patel two for 60 and Jacob Oram one for 16.

By the close New Zealand were 43 for one with Tim McIntosh unbeaten on 20 and Daniel Flynn 16 not out following opener Martin Guptill's early dismissal for six.

The Black Caps have another three-day warm-up match starting on Wednesday before the first Test against Sri Lanka begins in Galle on August 18.