Dino Corera
Gehan Blok
Amantha Perera
Dominik Keller
Right now, there are only a handful of people truly carrying the stand-up game in Sri Lanka. Off the top of my head: Gehan Blok, Dino Corera, Dominic Keller. And yeah, I’d include myself too; I haven’t hit the mic in a while, but I’m back this Saturday (June 19th at Mains Sports Bar, in case you were wondering).
Let me just say this straight up: Sri Lanka has a stand-up comedy scene, and it's WILDLY underrated. I’m not talking about the occasional skit on YouTube or the uncle at the wedding who tells the same three jokes every time he’s drunk. I’m talking about actual, raw, real stand-up comedy, where a person grabs a mic, walks up on stage, and attempts to do the hardest thing in entertainment: make people laugh on command. And no, it’s not easy. This isn’t your funny friend at dinner. This is - lights on, spotlight burning, crowd waiting - and trust me, it’s either going to be a good night or the longest 10 minutes of your life.
Why the Stand-Up Scene Is Small, But Boiling
Right now, there are only a handful of people truly carrying the stand-up game in Sri Lanka. Off the top of my head: Gehan Blok, Dino Corera, Dominic Keller. And yeah, I’d include myself too; I haven’t hit the mic in a while, but I’m back this Saturday (June 19th at Mains Sports Bar, in case you were wondering). We don’t have Netflix specials. We don’t have big comedy tours with corporate sponsors. But what we do have is talent, guts, and a growing audience that wants something different from the same boring scripted TV. The demand is there. The hunger is there. The market is READY. But there’s just one problem.
People Come to Shows with Their Arms Crossed
Let me ask you something. Have you ever been to a stand-up show in Colombo and looked around the room? Half the crowd is ready to laugh, the other half looks like they're attending a disciplinary hearing.
Why are we so scared to laugh?
You see international comics absolutely ROAST their governments, religions, relationships, and social systems. People abroad laugh because they get the art form. They understand it's meant to provoke thought and laughter, sometimes at the same time.
But here? One joke about a school and Gehan gets death threats. A bit of dark humour and people want to cancel the entire lineup.
Come on, y’all. You came to a COMEDY show. Don’t come if you want TEDx.
Comedy Is One of the Hardest Art Forms. Period.
Look, I’m a marketer, a business owner, a content creator, a musician, and yes — a stand-up comic. And I can tell you this with full confidence:
- Making people laugh is harder than making them cry.
Musicians? Y’all get a melody, a backing track, some reverb. Stand-up comedians? It’s you, a mic, and a sea of judgment. One wrong joke and the crowd turns on you. One too-safe joke and you get crickets. The pressure is unreal. But when it works, oh boy, there’s nothing like it. That roar of laughter. That one guy who spits out his drink? That woman who’s crying from laughing too hard? It’s magic.
Let the Comedians Cook
To everyone who comes to shows just to get offended; chill. Not everything is about you. Not every joke is personal. Sometimes it’s just a joke. And yes, some of us (myself included) will go dark. We will push boundaries. We will make you uncomfortable. But that’s what great stand-up does. It holds a mirror up to society, points out the flaws, and makes you laugh while doing it. So, if you can’t take a joke, maybe don’t buy a ticket. Or better yet, learn to laugh at yourself. Life’s too short to be offended by punchlines.
This Saturday, I'm Back on Stage
Yeah, you read that right. June 19th at Mains Sports Bar. I’m coming back to the stage, and I’m not holding back. Dark jokes? You bet. Real talk? Absolutely. Laughter? Guaranteed (or awkward silence, who knows?). I’ve spent years learning how to read a room, craft a set, and build moments that stay with people. And I’m excited to be back. So come through. Bring your friends. Bring your sense of humour. Leave your “offended” face at home.
Final Thoughts
Sri Lanka is full of creative people, sharp minds, and funny humans. But we can only grow the stand-up comedy scene if:
- Comedians get braver
- Audiences get more open-minded
- And haters learn to stay in their damn lane
Let’s build a scene where we support talent instead of tearing it down. Where we appreciate the craft instead of cancelling it. Where we laugh freely, even when the joke hits a little too close to home.
See you Saturday. I’ll be the guy with the mic, the attitude, and the set that might just get me banned.
But hey, that’s stand-up.
