Negombo on arrival — worth stopping for a night or should I go straight to Colombo?

I am from Negombo and have been helping visitors navigate this decision for years. Here is the honest picture.

What Negombo is: a working fishing town with a strong Dutch and Portuguese colonial Catholic heritage, a functioning harbour, and a beach that is serviceable rather than beautiful by south coast standards. The sand is grey rather than white, the water is adequate but not exceptional. It is not Mirissa. But it is a genuine town with real character, not just a transit point.

What is actually worth doing:
The fish market at the harbour (active 5am–8am most mornings): one of the largest fishing operations in Sri Lanka. The catch comes in from overnight boats, the wholesale auction happens, and the entire operation is chaotic, photogenic, and completely authentic. This single activity justifies a first-night stop for anyone interested in how the country actually works.
The Dutch canal system: boat trips (LKR 1,000–2,000 for an hour) through the colonial canal network that runs parallel to the coast, past lagoon and mangrove sections. Peaceful and interesting, especially for birdwatching.
The Catholic church architecture: the density of Portuguese and Dutch colonial churches around Negombo is remarkable. St Mary's Church and the smaller churches along the canal are worth a wander. This cultural character distinguishes Negombo from anywhere else in Sri Lanka.
Lewis Place beach road: the main beach strip has decent local restaurants, affordable guesthouses, and a relaxed evening atmosphere. Not glamorous but comfortable.

First-night strategy: yes, Negombo makes better sense than Colombo for a first arrival night. The airport is 7km away (LKR 400–600 tuk-tuk). You rest after the flight, watch the fish market in the morning, and then travel the 35km to Colombo fresh rather than arriving at night in a bigger, more disorienting city.

Last night before the flight: excellent choice and underused. No early-morning Colombo traffic stress. Guesthouse to airport is 10 minutes.

Food: the seafood along Lewis Place is genuinely good and direct from the harbour — fresh catch in a simple local restaurant for LKR 800–1,500.