Colombo, 04th January 2024 – Today TikTok unveils Year on TikTok 2023, its annual year-end report that celebrates its global community as they scroll back to the most memorable trends, creators and moments that made 2023 in Sri Lanka and the rest of the world.
2023 was the year the we learned a new life hack (or two!), laughed out loud – and couldn’t stop thinking about the Roman Empire. Throughout this year, TikTok’s global community of over 1 billion people continued to come together on the platform to connect and positively influence culture and impact lives.
From foolproof recipes to funny skits, throwback tracks and thriving small businesses, the TikTok community continued creating, connecting and celebrating authenticity on TikTok throughout 2023. Across Sri Lanka, the community was captivated by culinary delicacies, beautification tips and comedic sketches. These trends, along with other local favorites, are showcased in videos like Wild Cookbook’s perfect masala chicken curry recipe and Hesara Yagi’s funny skit about turning daily life moments into comedy gold.
“Year on TikTok 2023 is a way for us to honor some of the standout moments that have happened on TikTok throughout the year. It’s a window into stories that have inspired, entertained and educated over 1 billion people around the world. Thank you for another year of bringing joy to our community and sharing your creativity with us,” said Adam Presser, Head of Operations, TikTok.
Pooja Dutta, Operations Lead for South Asia, said, “As we reminisce about TikTok’s remarkable journey in Sri Lanka for 2023, we are excited to witness the dynamic fusion of creativity and culture that has blossomed on our platform. From culinary delicacies to hilarious comedy skits,’ the Sri Lankan community has demonstrated an exceptional ability to unite through vibrant content. We take immense pride in how TikTok has evolved into a hub where Sri Lankan creativity and culture flourish, making a global impact beyond our local borders.”
Stay tuned for more Year on TikTok 2023 celebrations in Sri Lanka.
Join us as we stroll down memory lane and look back on an incredible year that saw us learning, laughing, inspiring, imagining, entertaining and exploring. Scroll back to this year’s most memorable trends, creators and moments with our community by searching #YearOnTikTok on the app or visiting TikTok Newsroom.
Year on TikTok 2023
#ForYou Faves: Popular videos of 2023
In 2023, trending content took over For You feeds around the world – especially in the entertainment, lifestyle & education and sports categories. In Sri Lanka, the community was enchanted by Daily makeup tutorials by creators like Chathu Silva and Sinhala Makeup Guru. Keep on reading to discover the most popular videos and trends that had everyone saying, ‘have you seen that TikTok about…?’ this year.
- @chathuvolgs: Sparkle and Shine: A Dazzling Glittery Glam Makeup Tutoria
- @lifestyle_paradiseya: Showcasing the delicate art of removing contact lenses
- @chefsapumal: Chicken kottu in banana leaf packed with aromatic spices
- @yagii.i: This year’s laughter maestro, turning daily life moments into comedy gold.
- @wildcookbook: Masala Chicken, curated uniquely by the creative culinary mind
Breakthrough Stars: 2023’s groundbreaking creators, celebrities and artists
Every day, a star is born on TikTok. This year, we were entertained and inspired by an entire galaxy of creators, who remain the beating heart of our platform. From the iconic #TubeGirl aka Sabrina Bahsoon (@sabrinabahsoon) to a cute border collie named Pluto, as well as creators like Suneth Rajawasan, the Good Doctor educating users on important health tips, and Eric and Mani, famous for their comedic sketches. Here are the breakthrough creators, celebrities and artists who made it on and beyond TikTok in 2023.
- @pearlijja.jeyarajah: Pearlijja experiences the tasting of the fresh harvest of golden berries in Nuwara Eliya
- @yaharshi: The local makeup guru Yaharshi teaches us to master the Art of Timeless Wedding Makeup
- @sunethrajawasan: Suneth Rajawasan, the good doctor on TikTok, tells us in this Must-Watch video for safer ear care to ditch the cotton buds to prevent ear damage
- @cuisineofsrilanka: Learn how to make delicious salt and pepper dry fish
- @ericandmani: Eric and Mani show what happens when your girlfriend’s Appa (father) is from the Tamil movie universe
The Hitmakers: Most popular artists on TikTok in 2023
TikTok is a musical playground where artists and songwriters come together to propel tracks and trends at the speed of culture. In 2023, we had artists topped the charts, including some from our very own community, like Chethana Perera and Dasuni Senethma, who resonated with the community. Here are the most popular artists whose songs took over our ears and For You feeds in 2023.
- Chethana Perera (@chethigirl): Known for her trendy dancing skits, Chethana Perera has become a favorite among the TikTok community in Sri Lanka
- Dasuni Senethma (@dasu_dancer): Dasuni, a professional dancer, leads as one of the popular content creators in Sri Lanka with more than 5 million likes for her content
- Nilan Hettiarachch (nilan_hettiarachchi): With his charismatic voice and engaging content, Nilan Hettiarachchi has become a prominent figure in the Sri Lanka TikTok music scene.
- Amisha Minol (@amisha_minol): Amisha’s emotive and powerful vocals have struck a chord with the youth of Sri Lanka on TikTok.
- Manuranga Wijesekara (@manurangawijesekara): A multi-talented artist, Manuranga’s catchy lyrics and engaging content have garnered significant attention in TikTok.
Loved by Locals: The small businesses that inspired us in 2023
TikTok is a place where you can start small, but think – and achieve – big. No one knows this better than our small business owners, who truly felt the positive impact of our community in 2023.
- @hopebyupekshi: With the help of TikTok, Upekshi has grown her online t-shirt business strongly.
- @shanudrie007: Shanudire, the young and talented artist, shows her transformation from her days as a child actor to a superstar now.
- @wildcookbook: Wildcookbook indulges us in the exotic allure of Jaffna with a special Nelli juice
- @stories_of-lash: Lash, the food traveller, enjoys a mixed Grill Platter, a beautiful platter tantalizing assortment of grilled meats and seafood.
- @schini1107: Energetic local dancing sensation Sachini Nipunsala stepping into the rhythm of the latest dance trend
Learn on TikTok/TikTok Taught Me: 2023’s memorable lessons and life hacks
With so much educational content, we learn while we scroll on TikTok! In 2023, #BookTok taught us that reading is cool again. In Sri Lanka, creators like Dinux Kitchen and Niman shared tips on cooking and higher education opportunities, becoming favorites in the Learn on TikTok category. Discover the most popular trends, tricks and how-to’s that made our lives even better in 2023.
- @dinux_kitchen: Dinux savouring all of us with a luscious mango banana smoothie bowl
- @cookwithkani: Kani shows how to get instantly refreshed with this Indian plum drink recipe
- @nimnastiktok: Nimna’s interesting video highlights various higher education opportunities
- @vidaclinic: In this video, Vida Medical Clinic unveils the complex connection between Nicotin and Depression
- @doladuka.lk: How to make delicious Kottu Mee Noodles while watching the cricket match
Only on TikTok: 2023 trends powered by effects, sounds and other product features
This year, the TikTok community continued to bring their creativity to life and push the boundaries of self-expression through a diverse array of community effects, sounds, filters and more, with over 25 billion videos created using community effects to date. This year, we all loved sharing our versions of Girl Dinner, acting like we were in a Wes Anderson film and raising our red, green and beige flags. In Sri Lanka, creators embraced local trends and global challenges alike, showcasing a blend of cultural uniqueness and global connectivity. Here are the most popular trends made possible by unique features – and our creativity – in 2023.
- Happy Valentine’s Day: Sri Lankan wanderers, weaving love in the shadows of the Taj Mahal’s timeless splendor.
- Cooking: Elevate your midday meal with an aesthetically curated lunch bag, where flavors meet flair in a tasteful symphony of colors and textures.
- Barbie: It’s the Barbie fever and will we ever get over this?😍
- Exploring Sri Lanka: Exploring the vibrant Nalur festival in Sri Lanka
- FashionTok: Elegance embraces innovation as tradition meets a modern twist in this culturally-inspired ensemble.
Year on TikTok 2023 Methodology
Year on TikTok 2023 is based on internal research and trends analysis conducted from January to October 2023.
