David Warner fell in the fifth over to a terrific piece of bowling from Kasun Rajitha, and after a second-wicket stand of 55, Usman Khawaja was defeated by one which spun from Ramesh Mendis to beat the outside edge. But by lunch, Australia had still moved steadily to 99 for 2.
However, Ramesh, who bowled unchanged throughout the session after sharing the new ball, and should have had a second wicket, but Niroshan Dickwella missed a chance to stump Labuschange on 28 in what could prove a crucial moment.
Khawaja had been very secure until the delivery that removed him, picking up from where he left off in the first match, making an early statement when he crunched Ramesh through mid-on.
The surface was harder than the one served up for the first Test, and, initially at least, the turn on offer was less extreme although still significant enough to suggest it will still be a major factor.
Australia's batters were largely content to work the ball around against fields that allowed for the spin bowlers to be milked. Although Sri Lanka's spinners were better than in the opening Test, they still failed to bowl a maiden in the session, but the deep-set fields suggested that was not a priority for the captain.
Rajitha, one of four changes to the Sri Lanka side, produced a very good six-over opening spell and found a bit of assistance with the new ball. In a fashion that has become familiar over the last few years, he removed Warner from around the wicket when a good-length delivery nipped away and clattered the stumps.
However, the start of his second spell was less on the mark, and Labuschagne twice put wide deliveries away through the off side.
Earlier in the morning, Sri Lanka had named three debutants in their side - Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana and Prabath Jayasuriya - following the Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. Theekshana, whose three first-class appearances came back in 2018, was given just two overs in his first spell before being replaced by Jayasuriya, who appeared to struggle to settle against a strong breeze.
He was twice swept powerfully in front of square in the space of three balls by Labuschagne.
Meanwhile, Australia had decided against changing the balance of their side, eventually sticking with Mitchell Starc rather than handing a recall to Glenn Maxwell. Pat Cummins had floated the possibility of including Maxwell at No. 8, but a final look at the pitch on Friday morning persuaded Australia to retain two frontline quicks as well as Cameron Green, while the spin will be in the hands of Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson, with Travis Head and Labuschagne for support.
David Warner fell early, squared up by Rajitha, who got the ball to angle away from the left-hander from round the wicket and caught the outside edge to the 'keeper. However, Australia didn't fall back on the defensive as Khawaja and Labuschagne kept rotating the strike over even when scoring opportunities weren't available, and were quick to latch on to the chances that came their way.
The duo combined to stitch a steady 55-run partnership before Khawaja was beaten by Mendis's offbreak that went past his outside edge and hit the top of the offstump. However, despite assistance from the pitch, Sri Lanka failed to put the visitors on the backfoot. They had an opportunity soon after when Mendis had Labuschgne tricked and out of his crease, but Niroshan Dickwella - the 'keeper - missed an opportunity to have him stumped.
The batter made good use of the opportunity and cracked Rajitha, who offered him two deliveries wide and short, for two boundaries through the square region. Labuschagne and Smith went to the break unbeaten in a session where they lost their openers, but would still be satisfied with the runs on the board
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