Nihal Arthanayake to make stand-up comedy debut
Acclaimed broadcaster, presenter, journalist, and author Nihal Arthanayake is set to take on a new role this summer as he makes his stand-up comedy debut at the Sri Lankan Culture Collective (SLCC). The event will take place at London’s Battersea Arts Centre on Saturday 26th July, forming part of SLCC’s 2025 summer programme.
Returning for its second year, the Sri Lankan Culture Collective is London’s first boutique festival dedicated to celebrating Sri Lankan diaspora culture through food, music, and the arts. This year, the festival’s Comedy & Music night is expected to be a major highlight, with Arthanayake’s debut performance co-headlining the evening’s lineup.
The festival will run from Saturday 26th July to Sunday 7th September, coinciding with South Asian Heritage Month. SLCC’s programme features five curated events, including a pop-up marketplace, a wine pairing experience, a supper club, and a traditional hopper masterclass. Tickets for all events are on sale now.
Founded by a group of Sri Lankan creatives and entrepreneurs, the Sri Lankan Culture Collective was established as a non-profit initiative aimed at showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK. The 2025 edition continues this mission, blending entertainment with cultural exploration and community celebration.
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Nihal Arthanayake said: “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.”
The Sri Lankan Culture Collective founders said “We at Sri Lankan Culture Collective 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.”
