Having laughed off a career in accounting to work in comedy, Dilruk Jayasinha has hit the jackpot with ABC comedy series, Utopia

The numbers are definitely stacked in favour of this former accountant

Comedian Dilruk Jayasinha in his inner-city Melbourne apartment. Pictures: Chris Groenhout

• WHO: Comedian Dilruk Jayasinha

• WHERE: Inner-city Melbourne

• FAVOURITE THING: The view is my favourite thing about where I live. I love feeling like I’m up in the sky as I’m sleeping

• INSPIRATION: Given that with my job I spend most of my time out and about, I never stop to think about what I could add to my apartment that would make it look like an adult lives here

• HOME IS: Wherever my mattress is kept

HAVING laughed off a career in accounting to work in comedy full time, Dilruk Jayasinha has hit the jackpot with the ABC comedy series, Utopia. Working opposite comedy stars such as Rob Sitch, Celia Pacquola and Kitty Flanagan, it’s clear Dilruk’s professional move has paid dividends.

“I was a huge fan of the first two seasons and then all of a sudden I was getting to play around with these same characters I enjoyed watching on the screen,” says Dilruk.

“Even though I had met Kitty Flanagan in the comedy world a couple of times before, when I had my first scene with her in character I remember having the silliest thoughts like, ‘Oh God Rhonda is here, I hope she likes me’.”

Up next for Dilruk is more stand-up, which is his one constant.

AT HOME WITH AINSLEY MELHAM

“No matter what’s going on in my life I like to make sure I don’t take the foot off the pedal when it comes to stand-up,” he says.

His only real downtime is the few weeks he visits his parents back in Sri Lanka.

“But even when I’m there after about a week or so I’m really itching to jump back on a stage. Sometimes I worry I’m like a comedy junkie, I need my fix,” he says.

Now living in an apartment in inner-city Melbourne, he says the convenience of having everything on the doorstop reminds him of growing up in Sri Lanka.

“Even when growing up we lived on one of the busiest roads in Sri Lanka and I’m used to not have to plan too far ahead for things such as groceries,” he says. “Living smack bang in the city is ideal for me so I’m always a hop skip and a jump away from whatever I’d need — like Chinese food at 4am.”

More: Utopia, Wednesday 9pm, ABC, abc.net.au

Sri Lankan flag: As much I love my life in Australia and the amazing opportunities it has given me, I also love having a reminder of my origins. I like to remember the duality of my cultural identity.

Inside Story with Dilruk Jayasinha for the Herald Sun Realestate / Home Living section.

Mug: My brother surprised me by mailing this mug to my accounting office back in 2011. It’s a collection of random catch phrases and jokes we have said to each other since we were kids.

Inside Story with Dilruk Jayasinha for the Herald Sun Realestate / Home Living section.

Glasshouse Tahaa candle: I had walked passed a Peter Alexander store and I had to stop. I walked in and said, ‘Alright, what is that smell and how do I make my place smell the same?’

Darth Vader: When I was a kid I’d always ask my parents to buy me action figures for my birthday. This Darth Vader figure was the last one my parents bought for me. I think I was 18.

Cool Water cologne: Some say it’s old fashioned, I call it a classic. I have a small bottle packed in every travel bag of mine, so that no matter where I am, I’m able to smell like the ‘90s.

Nutribullet: I smash out a big cup of celery or spinach juice at some point during the day and that totally offsets the takeaway chicken wings I had for breakfast. That’s how nutrition works right?

iPhone: It’s great for staying in touch with my parents back in Sri Lanka or if I’m bored, playing around on my Sudoku app. And by Sudoku app, what I really mean is Tinder.

Bose headphones: I was on tour in regional NSW and I had a three-hour flight in a small propeller plane. It was the loudest engine I’ve ever heard. As soon as we got back to Sydney Airport I bought these.

Tempur memory foam pillow: Probably the most extravagant thing I’ve ever purchased. It cost me about a one third of my month’s rent but it’s improved my sleep significantly and worth every penny. I’m applying for a mortgage to buy a second pillow to take along with me when I travel.