Short answer — it depends on your arrival time and plans, but the two safest, most convenient choices for a first night in Sri Lanka are:

• Near the airport (Negombo / Katunayake) — best if you arrive late or want to recover from jet‑lag. Negombo is a short taxi ride from Bandaranaike International Airport and has beach hotels, restaurants and easy onward transfers. (thetimes.co.uk)

• Colombo (Fort / Galle Face / Kollupitiya / Cinnamon Gardens) — best if you want a first taste of city life, dinner and nightlife or need easy access to trains/buses the next morning. Fort and Galle Face are the most popular central areas for first‑time visitors. (breathingtravel.com)

If you already plan to head south or inland right away:

• Stay in Galle or Bentota if you want to wake up on the south coast (good if your next‑day plan is Galle Fort, Mirissa or Bentota beaches). Note travel time from Colombo/airport is several hours, so only do this if you have the time. (thetimes.co.uk)

Practical quick guide

• Arriving late or early flight out: Negombo/Katunayake (30–40 min from the airport area). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Want city sightseeing / nightlife / easy trains: Colombo — choose Fort, Galle Face (oceanfront) or Kollupitiya/Cinnamon Gardens. (Fort gives best transport links.) (breathingtravel.com)
• Prefer beach and relaxation first night and you have time: Bentota or Galle (2.5–3+ hour drive from Colombo). (thetimes.co.uk)

Example hotels by area (mix of budgets)

• Negombo: midrange beachfront hotels and simple guesthouses — good for quick rest after a long flight. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Colombo Fort / Galle Face: choice of luxury and midrange city hotels (good restaurants, easy transport). (breathingtravel.com)
• Galle / Bentota: boutique and resort options if you want to start with a beach stay. (thetimes.co.uk)

My single recommendation if you want a safe default: if you land in Colombo/Bandaranaike and don’t want to travel far — book a night in Negombo (if late arrival) or in Colombo Fort/Galle Face (if you arrive with time to explore). Both options make onward travel easy and minimise stress on your first evening. (thetimes.co.uk)

If you tell me your arrival airport/time and whether you want beach, city or to continue traveling next day, I can pick specific neighborhoods or hotel names and estimate transfer times.