Sri Lankan born Nihal Arthanayake to make stand-up comedy debut in UK

Acclaimed Sri Lankan born broadcaster, presenter, journalist and author Nihal Arthanayake, is to make his stand-up comedy debut in London.

Broadwayworld.com reported that Sri Lankan Culture Collective, London’s first boutique festival showcasing Sri Lankan diaspora food, culture and talent, has announced that Arthanayake will be making his stand-up comedy debut by co-headlining the lineup, at the SLCC Comedy & Music event on Saturday 26th July at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

“So, instead of buying a motorbike to deal with my mid-life crisis I have decided that I want to be a stand up comedian. And where better to do my debut stand up gig than surrounded by Sri Lankans who will throw piles of kotthu at me if I am rubbish,” Nihal Arthanayake said.

The Sri Lankan Culture Collective founders said they are thrilled to welcome the incredible Nihal Arthanayake for his highly anticipated stand-up comedy debut.

“Nihal is a passionate advocate for Sri Lankan diaspora arts and culture and it’s an honour to have him join us to co-headline our comedy lineup. SLCC is about creativity, community and collaboration and the programme is unique in its depth and breadth. This isn’t your amma’s Sri Lanka! Cutting-edge comedy. Boundary-breaking music. Witness a new cultural wave – we’re flipping the script on what you think you know about Sri Lanka. Join us for one, some or all our events, come for the culture, stay for the community, leave changed.”

During South Asian Heritage Month, Sri Lankan Culture Collective will make its return for the second year with an ambitious programme of five unmissable dates across the summer during Saturday 26th July to Sunday 7th September.

Sri Lankan Culture Collective is a non-profit created by four Sri Lankan artisan founders and creative powerhouses; Rosh Olivelle, the award-winning founder of Hop & Roll a boutique Sri Lankan food business specialising in hoppers, spice blends and cocktails, Thana Sivasambu, the founder of Ruci Foods, a range of authentic Sri Lankan tastes, from pastes, chutneys and sambols that have won Great Taste Awards every year, and Ranji Thangiah aka Tooting Mama, a food and travel writer, podcaster and photographer with a growing community and Krish Puwanarajah, co-founder of Arêvery, a purpose-led concept store, coffee and wine bar in Tooting.   (This story was edited from broadwayworld.com)