The Lanka Comic Con 2025 press conference, held at Paan Paan – Staple Street on July 11, 2025, presented a look at what 10 years of the LCC have achieved since its inception. The event also set the stage for what’s to come this year.

Held ahead of the most anticipated weekend on the local pop culture, geek, and weeb calendars, the evening brought together organisers, press, sponsors, and individuals passionate about the geek community for a press conference full of memories and big reveals.

And yes, mark your calendars, because Lanka Comic Con 2025 is officially happening on August 30th and 31st at Kolomba Kamatha (BMICH), and it’s going to be packed with cosplay, collectibles, gaming, panels, fandom showcases, and much more!

Kicking Things Off with a Bit of Nostalgia

Vasanth Kahandawela, as the Master of Ceremonies (Programming Administration for Lanka Comic Con), commenced the press conference on an emotional and reflective note, as attendees were treated to an exclusive look back at Lanka Comic Con’s 10-Year journey in a video. From humble beginnings to where we are today, the footage captured how far LCC has come and reminded everyone exactly why we love this community so much. The video included testimonials from members of the Lanka Comic Con organising team, Thilani Samarasinha, Naveed Rozais, and Akila Weerasinghe. We also heard from members of the Geek Community, such as cosplayer and crafter Aishwarya Tennekoon and artist Sachi Ediriweera. Both shared their experiences of growing as creatives thanks to the Lanka Comic Con community and the opportunities they have received since.

A Heartfelt Start from Thilani Samarasinha

Thilani Samarasinha, Co-Founder & Principal Trustee of LCC, opened the evening with a moving speech celebrating the community that helped shape LCC into what it is today.

“Whether it’s a sponsor, or a partner, or a vendor or just a visitor, we want that sense of community to be across the board. Its very much a sense of family, a sense of community and I’m very grateful for all the people who have come with us along this journey for the last 10 years.” 

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the official announcement made by Thilani that Anchor Newdale had come on board as the Title Sponsor for Lanka Comic Con 2025.

Newdale On Why They Became the Title Sponsor for Lanka Comic Con 2025

This is a huge moment for Lanka Con. Having a beloved Sri Lankan brand like Anchor Newdale join the Lanka Con journey is a significant step for the organisation and the event.

Anchor Newdale from Fonterra Brands Lanka released a statement on their partnership with Lanka Comic Con.

“Anchor Newdale from Fonterra Brands Lanka is delighted to collaborate with Lanka Comic Con 2025 as the title sponsor. This partnership allows us to connect with an enthusiastic, devoted and culturally engaged audience. At Anchor Newdale, we fuel our experimenters to aim high, embrace new experiences and push boundaries to keep going. Lanka Comic Con offers a unique platform for us to interact with these experimenters in the realms of pop culture, gaming, and entertainment. We are honored to be a part of this milestone event, which helps us build a lasting bond with a new generation of consumers.”

Their support is set to play a significant role in enhancing the fan experience, from interactive zones to fan-focused programming and on-site activities. The partnership also reflects a growing recognition of geek culture in Sri Lanka.

The Origins: A Look Back with Navin Weeraratne

As the co-founder of Lanka Comic Con and Painted Figs, Navin took to the stage next, and in doing so, he took the audience on a trip down memory lane. Reflecting on the humble beginnings of Lanka Con and how it grew into the cultural phenomenon we know today.

“What is different about Comic Con, it is not one of those regular events. It is a cultural celebration. For a lot of young people in this country Comic Con is not just weekend entertainment, it is an annual pilgrimage they take.” 

Lanka Comic Con’s Geek Hub: New Website Launch

Another major milestone was the launch of the revamped Lanka Comic Con website, revealed by Navin with assistance from Devaka Perera, who developed the website. With a sleek, visually appealing new design and a user-friendly layout, the site is set to become the central hub for all things LCC. It is where the LCC community can find updates, schedules, vendor registration information, and other details about the event and beyond.

Panel Talk: Then, Now, and What’s Next

The evening continued with a lively panel discussion, moderated by Jessica Fernando (PR and Project Management for Lanka Comic Con), featuring Thilani, Naveed and Dinesh Rajawasan owner of Anim8.lk and longstanding sponsor of Lanka Comic Con who shared their insights and stories about the evolution of Lanka Comic Con, its impact on Sri Lanka’s geek scene, the challenges and triumphs along the way and what to expect at Lanka Comic Con 2025. The conversation was nostalgic and full of excitement for what lies ahead.

Q&A and Vote of Thanks

The evening wrapped up with a Q&A session, where attendees got the chance to ask their burning questions about LCC 2025.

It was revealed by Navin Weeraratne that the largest hand-painted Lord of the Rings diorama in the world, measuring a whopping 16 feet by 8 feet, will be on display at Lanka Comic Con 2025. The diorama, which took 2 years to complete, contains over 1,000 figures, all of which were painted by the team at Painted Figs. 

Finally, Shamindri De Sayrah (Organiser & Lead Coordinator for Lanka Comic Con), the youngest member of the LCC organising team for 2025 and an active member of the geek and cosplay community, took the mic for the Vote of Thanks. She spoke about how much LCC means to her and to many others like her. It was a perfect ending to an evening that felt more like a mini-reunion than a press conference.

Who Makes LCC 2025 Possible

This event would not be made possible without the support of our Marketing Consultant, Lauren Chang, who connected and onboarded our sponsors and partners for Lanka Comic Con 2025.

Alongside our Title Partner, Anchor Newdale, the event also includes –

• Cosplay Strut Partner Unilever Sri Lanka
• Official Snack Partner CBL Tetos
• Official Indulgence Partner Munchee Black Edition
• Official Chocolate Partner Ritzbury Roccoa
• Official Ice Cream Partner Elephant House Wonder
• Official Extraordinary Lozenge Partner Xtra
• Print Partner Anim8
• Event Management Partner Dream Team Studio
• Play Portal Partner Colombo Dream School
• Website Design Partner Devaka Perera
• Art and Design Partner Painted Figs
• Digital Media Partners Pulse, Gasma, and Nadi

Each plays a vital role in making the event possible. The continued support of our long-term partners, along with the new relationships we have formed, demonstrates the significant growth of the community and its considerable potential.

Lanka Comic Con 2025 Organising Committee

Pic Credits: Tai Shin Shiek

• Thilani Samarasinha – Principal Trustee of Lanka Comic Con. She is the driving force behind this movement, providing leadership and oversight for the event’s vision and governance.

• Naveed Rozais – Trustee and Treasurer; he manages the event’s financials, vendor relations to make sure the event is substantially appealing to the geek community, and leads the overall event operational setup.

• Lauren Chang – Marketing Consultant. She leads in providing marketing strategies and forming much-needed brand partnerships.

• Vasanth Kahandawela – Programming Administration; he handles the scheduling, communications, and logistics for panels, workshops, and performances.
• Devaka Perera – Head of Web and Security; he manages the event’s digital infrastructure and oversees safety protocols.

• Jessica Fernando – Public Relations and Project Management; she manages LCC’s communication directions, digital media presence, and manages flow across teams.

• Shamindri De Sayrah – Organiser & Lead Coordinator; she provides support for Marketing, Event Planning, Content Writing, and overall coordination where needed.

• Akila Weerasinghe – As the Lead Designer, he is responsible for all visual design, from branding to signage and printed collateral.