With overcast conditions and a wicket in Dambulla that is likely to favour quick bowlers, debutants Nuwan Kulasekera and Dinusha Fernando join left-armer Chaminda Vaas in the attack.
Wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana has also recovered from a hamstring injury and will play.
England arrived in Sri Lanka on November 13 for a six-week tour which will include three one-dayers and three Tests.
The second and third one-dayers are both in Colombo, on Friday and Sunday.
Team: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, TM Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekera, Chaminda Vaas, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Dinusha Fernando.
