• Yasas Gunaratne on magic, mentalism, and the power of human connection

There is something timeless about magic. It awakens a sense of wonder we often lose as we grow older – an awe that defies explanation, makes us question what’s real, and dares us to believe in the impossible. 

As children, we loved magic shows; from a coin vanishing in plain sight to a thought seemingly plucked from your mind, magic reminds us that mystery still exists in a world obsessed with answers. 

But beyond tricks and illusions, magic is also a tool for connection, transformation, and insight. This week, The Sunday Morning Brunch explored magic with Yasas Gunaratne, a pioneering Sri Lankan mentalist whose performances bridge the gap between science and spectacle, entertainment and empathy. 

A mentalist is a performer who uses psychology, suggestion, and keen observation to create the illusion of mind-reading or influence, making it seem as if they can tap into your thoughts or decisions.

Yasas is not your average performer. He is a professional magician – a mentalist, hypnotist, entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and TV personality. Yasas is also the President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians – Sri Lanka Chapter and the Founder of ‘Knight of Illusions.’ 

Over the years, he has helped redefine how Sri Lankan audiences view magic – not as a novelty for children’s parties, but as a sophisticated art form that can intrigue, inspire, and transform. Now based in the UAE, he is preparing for his next big leap: a fully ticketed solo show in Dubai this September.

The start of something magical

Reflecting on how it all began, Yasas said that his passion for magic started young. “I was nine years old when my father gave me a magic book,” he recalled. “I couldn’t understand it on my own, so I started bugging him to read it and teach me a trick. He did it a couple of times but then the passion faded.” 

The spark reignited years later when a friend brought another magic book to school. “My best friend Hasitha showed me his book, and it reminded me that I had one too. We started challenging each other with tricks – and the rest is history.”

By age 13, Yasas was already performing magic shows, despite never having seen a live performance himself. “I had only ever watched international magicians like Paul Daniels and David Copperfield on TV,” he said. “They were my heroes. I’m so blessed to have met both of them in person later in life.”

Despite his growing interest, pursuing magic as a career wasn’t initially encouraged. “My family supported it as a hobby,” he admitted, “but they were scared I would quit my studies and become a street performer. That was the reality they saw in Sri Lanka back then.”

Today, Yasas’s craft has evolved far beyond card tricks. He is a mentalist – a performer who uses a combination of psychology, observation, influence, and suggestion to create seemingly impossible experiences. 

“Magic is the creation of an illusion using props and misdirection,” he explained. “Mentalism, on the other hand, employs techniques like hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), body language reading, and deduction. It’s more about the mind.”

And while he acknowledges that some may dismiss mentalism as mere ‘tricks,’ he doesn’t agree with the term. “I don’t like the word ‘trick’ because everything in art is a trick in some way. Acting is a trick. Painting is a trick. What I do is science and skill; it takes years of focus, practice, and experience.”

Preparation for each show is multifaceted. “It’s all of the above – psychology, observation, and suggestion,” he said. “And instead of sleight of hand, I like to call it sleight of the mind.”

Staring down the sceptics

But with live audiences come unexpected variables. Mentalism relies heavily on audience participation, which means every performance is different. “That’s the beauty of it. No two shows are the same,” Yasas said. “Something will always go wrong; it’s part of working with humans and their thoughts. But that just makes the performance feel more real.”

When facing sceptics in the crowd, Yasas doesn’t shy away. In fact, he often welcomes them on stage. “I explain at the beginning of the show that this is about participation. You can’t force mentalism on anyone. But once they engage, even sceptics are often surprised. And after the show, most people walk away inspired – not trying to debunk what happened.”

In September, Yasas is set to perform his first fully ticketed solo show in Dubai. “This show will take the audience on a journey,” he said. “They’ll connect with me, I’ll connect with them, and then two individuals will connect with each other. There will be a prophecy act, and it will end with an impossible revelation.” 

While he is careful not to reveal too much, he emphasises that the performance is about more than shock or spectacle. “It’s funny, mystifying, and emotional. It’s entertainment with meaning.”

Each show, he said, was unique not just because of the method, but because of the people. “I’m not trying to be better or smarter than the audience. The show is not about me – it’s about them.”

Throughout his career, Yasas has celebrated several milestones. “Meeting the legends I watched on TV – Paul Daniels and David Copperfield – was surreal,” he said. He also proudly recalled creating Sri Lanka’s largest illusion in 2013: making a car disappear and reappear inside a paint booth, a performance later featured in an award-winning international magic magazine.

Another career highlight was presenting David Copperfield with a handcrafted set of Kandyan-era carved brass cups and balls – the oldest trick in magic. “He told me he placed it in his private museum in Las Vegas,” Yasas said. “It’s an honour to have a piece of Sri Lankan craftsmanship there.”

But for Yasas, the proudest moments often involve giving back. “I’ve used my performances to raise Rs. 1.1 million for the Kandy Cancer Hospital,” he said. “And I’ve supported the Ayati Trust for children with disabilities. Magic has given me a platform to do meaningful work.”

Magic locally

In terms of shaping the local industry, Yasas has left an indelible mark. His TV series ‘Chamber of Magicians,’ which aired for 25 episodes, spotlighted local talent and helped popularise the art in Sri Lanka. 

“We helped elevate magic beyond birthday parties and Christmas events,” he said. “With ‘Knight of Illusions,’ we introduced premium ticketed shows – something people never believed would work here. But we sold out, every time.”

He also mentored younger magicians, held workshops, and co-hosted ‘Magic Talk with Arun and Yasas,’ a 54-episode web series during the pandemic that featured local and international artists alike. “Even after moving to the UAE, I’m committed to helping the next generation of performers in Sri Lanka.”

As he sets his sights on Dubai, Yasas hopes to bring ‘Knight of Illusions’ to international stages. “It’s been a long journey. There have been more failures than successes,” he said. “Nothing came on a silver platter. But I’m proud of how far we have come – and excited for what’s next.”

When asked why someone should see his upcoming show, Yasas smiled: “Take a leap of faith. You’ll be entertained, but you’ll also leave thinking differently about what your mind can do.”

And what does he hope audiences walk away with? “That their mind is more powerful than they think,” he said. “If you harness it the right way, the sky is the limit. You have seen what it can do in my show – now go explore it for yourself.”