Fast bowler Lasith Malinga took two for 15 and veteran left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya, in his penultimate match before international retirement, two for 18.
Eoin Morgan (47) and Kevin Pietersen (41) put on 83 in 54 balls for the third wicket after World Twenty20 champions England had been faltering at 12 for two.
But they both fell in quick succession to leave England 101 for four in the 13th over.
No other batsman scored more than Ravi Bopara's 19.
England soon found themselves two wickets down inside three overs after losing the toss as the recalled World Twenty20-winning opening pair of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter both fell cheaply.
Left-hander Lumb holed out off Suranga Lakmal before Kieswetter chipped Nuwan Kulasekara straight to Sri Lanka captain Thilina Kandamby at mid-off.
But former Ireland international Morgan got off the mark with a straight driven six off Lakmal before next ball driving him down the ground for four.
Kevin Pietersen followed up with two fours in as many balls in Thisara Perera's first over, an off-drive preceding a flicked pull off his pads.
Left-hander Morgan was given a reprieve on 23, with England 59 for two, when he struck a full-toss off Lakmal straight to long-on only for Angelo Mathews to drop the routine catch.
Morgan cashed in, driving successive Perera deliveries for six before Pietersen cleared the ropes off the last ball off an 11th over that cost 24 runs in all.
But Morgan's 32-ball innings, featuring three sixes and four fours, ended when he pulled Malinga to Mahela Jayawardene.
And 95 for three soon became 102 for five.
Jayasuriya, best known as opening batsman, struck with his fifth delivery when Pietersen, backing away to leg, was bowled by a quicker ball and he dismissed Bopara in similar fashion.
