New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn widespread attention among Sri Lankan social media users following a recent video shared on Instagram and TikTok.
In the clip, Mamdani is seen walking and chatting casually with New York–based Sri Lankan comedian Shenuque. During their exchange, Shenuque jokingly asked, “My mom wants to know — how can I be a good Sri Lankan boy?” adding that many South Asian parents are now comparing their children to Mamdani, who became the city’s youngest mayor at 34, as well as its first Indian American and Muslim mayor.
Responding with humour, Mamdani referenced Sri Lanka’s legendary former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan and his famous delivery, the doosra — a ball that appears to spin one way before sharply turning the other.
“You know the phrase, ‘Never let them know your first move’? I would argue that has Sri Lankan roots,” Mamdani said. “Because Muttiah Muralitharan had a doosra — you think it’s going one way, it’s going the other.”
He added that what he has learned from the Sri Lankan community is the importance of preparation and not revealing one’s next move.
“That’s how you can be a good Sri Lankan boy,” Mamdani concluded — a moment that has since been widely shared and celebrated across Sri Lankan social media platforms.
