Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka’s ascent to becoming a global leader in sustainability is defined by his unyielding passion, exceptional academic background, and his commitment to creating lasting, meaningful change. Holding dual bachelor’s degrees in applied sciences (Forestry and Environmental Science from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon), he began his career as a Sustainability Executive at MAS Intimates in 2016. Although offered a PhD scholarship in Australia, Dr. De Fonseka chose to stay in Sri Lanka, driven by deep-rooted family values and the aspiration to make a local impact.
At MAS, Dr. De Fonseka led environmental and chemical sustainability projects across multiple facilities, learning the ropes of stakeholder management, sustainability in manufacturing, and complex global supply chains. In parallel with his work at MAS, Dr. De Fonseka pursued an MBA from London Metropolitan University and an MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Colombo, completing both degrees simultaneously.
In 2021, Dr. De Fonseka made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to hold the position of Head of Sustainability at Marks & Spencer (M&S), Sri Lanka Sourcing Office. “It was a pivotal moment in my career,” he recalls. “It offered me an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into sustainability challenges across various stages of the supply chain and learn how different suppliers view their responsibility toward sustainability.” Alongside his role at M&S, Dr. De Fonseka also pursued his third Masters (MSc in Project Management at Asia e University, Malaysia) and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Sustainability at Vern University, Croatia.
His career took another significant turn when he joined The ZDHC Foundation as the first Technical Manager of its Water Competence Center. Here, he played a crucial role in addressing water and wastewater sustainability challenges for leading global brands and manufacturers. In October 2023, Dr. De Fonseka reached a career milestone by being appointed the Director of Sustainability at Komar Brands, marking the culmination of his ambition to lead sustainability for a respected U.S. billion-dollar apparel brand. Then, he was promoted to the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at Komar Brands in March 2025. He is the first Sri Lankan to lead the sustainability pillar of a US or EU apparel brand, creating a history as a Sri Lankan sustainability professional.
A Passion Fueled by Purpose
“For me, sustainability is not just a job, but a noble cause,” Dr. De Fonseka shares. His dedication to the environment was ignited during his university years and further strengthened when he witnessed firsthand the fashion industry’s environmental footprint. “Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world. My work is dedicated to protecting the planet for future generations,” he emphasizes.
Key Career Milestones
Dr. De Fonseka’s career has been marked by a series of game-changing milestones, including:
- Leading pioneering environmental and chemical sustainability initiatives at MAS Intimates.
- Becoming the first Sri Lankan Head of Sustainability at Marks & Spencer (M&S), Sri Lanka Sourcing Office.
- Contributing to the development of ZDHC’s Wastewater Guidelines as the first Technical Manager of its Water Competence Center.
- Developing and driving Komar Brands Brand’s 2030 sustainability strategy, “SUS-TEX 2030”, and becoming the first Sri Lankan to lead the sustainability pillar of a US or EU apparel brand.
“I’ve been able to achieve both my career and academic goals by age 32, but this is just the beginning,” he reflects. “There’s still so much more to accomplish.”
Transforming Komar Brand’s Sustainability Strategy
As Chief Sustainability Officer at Komar Brands, Dr. De Fonseka leads the company’s ambitious 2030 sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with evolving business goals, consumer expectations, and stringent global sustainability regulations. The strategy revolves around two major pillars: Sustainable Product and Sustainable Planet.
Under the Sustainable Product pillar, Komar Brands focuses on sourcing eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester while championing sustainable packaging solutions. Meanwhile, the Sustainable Planet pillars focus on energy conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing absolute portable water consumption, responsible wastewater discharge, zero landfill of waste, eliminating hazardous chemicals, and promoting biodiversity restoration.
“A great sustainability strategy has to be actionable, not just theoretical,” says Dr. De Fonseka. “At Komar Brands, we ensure that every initiative is measurable, and we put our money where our mouth is to make a tangible impact.”
Leading Pioneering Initiatives
Dr. De Fonseka’s achievements at Komar Brands include a number of pioneering sustainability initiatives:
- Developing Komar Brands’s SBTi Scope 1, 2, and 3 achievement strategy to reduce emissions.
- Launching a comprehensive sustainability policy manual to guide suppliers toward the company’s 2030 sustainability goals.
- Introducing the ZDHC Guidelines Implementation Guidebook to strengthen sustainable chemical management practices across the supply chain.
- Co-hosting global ZDHC InConnect events, earning Komar Brands recognition at the 2024 ZDHC Solutions Conference.
- Organizing the first-ever Komar Supply Chain Sustainability Conference in Vietnam for Komar’s Vietnam suppliers.
- Actively speaking at fashion sustainability events worldwide to spread awareness and collaborate on overcoming the industry’s major sustainability challenges.
Confronting Industry Challenges
Dr. De Fonseka recognizes several barriers to sustainability in the fashion industry:
- Viewing sustainability as a cost rather than an investment in the future.
- Focusing on minimum legal compliance, rather than striving for continuous improvement in environmental and ethical practices.
- Greenwashing, where brands make misleading sustainability claims.
- The rise of ultra-fast fashion, which contributes to waste and unethical sourcing practices.
He advocates for a fundamental shift in the industry’s mindset: “Sustainability isn’t about competition; it’s about collaboration. Brands and other stakeholders across the supply chain must work together to make lasting, positive change.”
Sri Lanka’s Role in Global Fashion Sustainability
Sri Lanka’s garment industry, contributing over 40% of the country’s export earnings, has a significant opportunity to lead the charge in sustainable fashion globally. Dr. De Fonseka explains, “Sri Lanka is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing global demand for sustainable fashion. By leveraging this opportunity, we can create both positive environmental and economic impact.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking toward the future, Dr. De Fonseka believes that sustainability in fashion will be driven by transparency, innovation, and collaboration across the entire value chain. “The future of sustainability is about creating shared value for all stakeholders. It’s not just about hitting targets; it’s about leaving a legacy that benefits future generations,” he concludes.
Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the impact of purpose-driven leadership in transforming industries. Under his leadership, Komar Brand’s sustainability initiatives have set a new standard in the fashion world, inspiring others to take bold action in their own organizations for a more sustainable future.