IN CONVERSATION WITH JANANI WIJETUNGE

In a world where the lines between profit and purpose are increasingly intertwined, few voices articulate the case for responsible business leadership as eloquently as Janani Wijetunge, Head of Programmes and Governance at the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka. With an early career shaped by two of Sri Lanka's most respected legal minds, Justice Christopher Weeramantry and Dr. Harsha Cabral, she has evolved into a key advocate for corporate sustainability, gender equality, and ethical governance.

- By Dr. Sulochana Segera

From championing women's leadership through the Target Gender Equality Accelerator to guiding companies toward human rights-based governance, her work reflects a deep belief that businesses can and must be drivers of positive change. In this wide-ranging conversation, she shares how law, leadership, and global exposure have shaped her journey, and offers insights for young women aspiring to lead with purpose in an increasingly complex corporate landscape.

You began your career journey under the mentorship of two legal luminaries, Justice Christopher Weeramantry and Dr. Harsha Cabral. How did those early experiences shape your values and professional direction?