Full Name
Janani Wijetunge
Job Title
Head of Programmes & Governance
Organization Name
Global Compact Network Sri Lanka
Speaker Bio
Janani Wijetunge is a legal and sustainability professional with over 13 years of experience in the corporate and development sectors. An Attorney-at-Law by training with an LLB from the University of London (External Programme), she also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property and Technology Law from the National University of Singapore, where she deepened her expertise in the intersection of law, innovation, and emerging technologies.
Prior to entering the corporate world, Janani had the privilege to intern with Justice Christopher Weeramantry, Former Vice President of the International Court of Justice; where the fundamental foundation of preserving the earth for future generations and contributing towards the betterment of society and community, were ingrained. She also had the honor of apprenticing with Dr. Harsha Cabral, diving into sectors of Corporate and Intellectual Property Laws in Sri Lanka.
Her career began in the corporate sector at MAS Intimates, one of Sri Lanka’s leading apparel companies, where she gained hands-on experience in legal and industrial relations, and the practical application of governance frameworks within a multinational environment, having been assigned to work on MAS Intimates operations in USA, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Indonesia. She later transitioned to the European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, where she was involved in policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and building partnerships between Sri Lankan businesses and European entities.
Building on this foundation, Janani took on a senior role as Network Manager at the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, focusing on programme management, governance, and sustainability. Her work has centered on advancing responsible business practices, corporate governance, in alignment with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, within the private sector of Sri Lanka. Currently serving as Head of Programmes & Governance at the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, she leads initiatives that bring together companies, civil society, and government stakeholders to align corporate strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Janani has participated in the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP), hosted by the US State Department, on Youth Leadership from August to September 2011 (3 weeks). Following the exchange programme, she volunteered her time as firstly Secretary and then President of the US-SL IVLP Association (2014 to 2019), to further the objectives and goals of the programme, and support to build the IVLP community in Sri Lanka.
She was also invited to participate in the European Union Vistors Programme (EUVP), which is jointly sponsored and administered by the European Parliament and the European Commission, in February 2019.
Janani was the recipient of the award for "Corporate Sustainability" at the 15th Top50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards 2025 hosted by Women in Management.
Prior to entering the corporate world, Janani had the privilege to intern with Justice Christopher Weeramantry, Former Vice President of the International Court of Justice; where the fundamental foundation of preserving the earth for future generations and contributing towards the betterment of society and community, were ingrained. She also had the honor of apprenticing with Dr. Harsha Cabral, diving into sectors of Corporate and Intellectual Property Laws in Sri Lanka.
Her career began in the corporate sector at MAS Intimates, one of Sri Lanka’s leading apparel companies, where she gained hands-on experience in legal and industrial relations, and the practical application of governance frameworks within a multinational environment, having been assigned to work on MAS Intimates operations in USA, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Indonesia. She later transitioned to the European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, where she was involved in policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and building partnerships between Sri Lankan businesses and European entities.
Building on this foundation, Janani took on a senior role as Network Manager at the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, focusing on programme management, governance, and sustainability. Her work has centered on advancing responsible business practices, corporate governance, in alignment with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, within the private sector of Sri Lanka. Currently serving as Head of Programmes & Governance at the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, she leads initiatives that bring together companies, civil society, and government stakeholders to align corporate strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Janani has participated in the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP), hosted by the US State Department, on Youth Leadership from August to September 2011 (3 weeks). Following the exchange programme, she volunteered her time as firstly Secretary and then President of the US-SL IVLP Association (2014 to 2019), to further the objectives and goals of the programme, and support to build the IVLP community in Sri Lanka.
She was also invited to participate in the European Union Vistors Programme (EUVP), which is jointly sponsored and administered by the European Parliament and the European Commission, in February 2019.
Janani was the recipient of the award for "Corporate Sustainability" at the 15th Top50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards 2025 hosted by Women in Management.
Speaking At
