Some people stumble upon success by accident, while others chase it with purpose from the moment they dare to dream. For Janaka J Rodrigo, Managing Director of Kanro Interiors Pvt Ltd, the story is a remarkable blend of both — a childhood vision, refined by experience and fueled by the desire to create real change.
From the earliest days of his life, Janaka nurtured a clear ambition: to lead a distinguished company in Sri Lanka. However, the path to realizing this goal was neither straightforward nor conventional. The founding of Kanro Interiors was not the outcome of a carefully laid business plan, but rather an instinctive response to a glaring gap in the market. While serving as a Senior Manager at a leading interior design company, he observed a troubling trend — clients were consistently subjected to substandard service, avoidable errors, and broken promises. Disillusioned by these practices and motivated by an unshakable belief in doing things differently, he made the bold decision to chart his own course.
Armed with industry insights, managerial experience, and an academic background in marketing, Janaka left behind his comfortable corporate role to bring his vision to life. It was from this leap of faith that Kanro Interiors was born — a company built on the promise of integrity, quality, and client-first thinking.
Today, Kanro Interiors stands as a shining beacon in Sri Lanka’s commercial interior landscape, widely recognized for its meticulous attention to detail, forward-thinking design solutions, and customer-centric ethos. The company’s portfolio is a testament to its commitment: from sleek, modern office spaces to dynamic commercial interiors, every project reflects the perfect fusion of form and function.
Kanro’s success is underpinned by a team of highly skilled designers and craftsmen who bring creativity and precision to every assignment. “We believe in understanding the client’s true needs, not just the aesthetic aspirations,” Janaka explains. “Our design team invests time to grasp the client’s vision, and our construction teams ensure that the final execution mirrors the original design, right down to the smallest element.”
But beyond aesthetics, Kanro Interiors has cultivated a reputation for reliability — a quality often undervalued but deeply appreciated in the competitive construction and interiors market. One of the company’s defining practices is its daily morning team meeting, where collective decision-making takes center stage. These sessions provide a platform for real-time problem-solving, ensuring client concerns are addressed proactively and projects stay on schedule.
This approach has earned Kanro Interiors something every business aspires to: loyalty. The company’s client base includes over 200 local, multinational, and government institutions, with many partnerships lasting more than five to ten years. Such enduring relationships are no accident. Janaka credits this to the company’s commitment to exceeding expectations and its readiness to evolve with customer needs. “Many clients start with a single project, but they return — again and again — because they know we treat every space as if it were our own,” he says with quiet pride.
In an industry known for intense competition and shifting trends, standing still is not an option. Kanro Interiors has always understood this, continuously refining its service offerings to ensure relevance and value. From space planning, 3D visualizations, and custom furniture manufacturing to partition systems, ceiling solutions, flooring, and comprehensive interior consultation — Kanro offers a full suite of services designed to simplify the client’s journey from concept to completion.
Yet for Janaka, the secret ingredient isn’t merely technical expertise or a catalog of services — it’s a philosophy grounded in authenticity. “We never say no to a customer’s request, as long as it’s feasible. Our job isn’t to limit them to what we can do, but to deliver what they truly want. That mindset makes all the difference,” he says.
Despite its current success, Kanro’s journey has not been without hardship. Between 2016 and 2020, the company endured what Janaka candidly describes as its darkest chapter. Faced with delayed payments, scarce new projects, and escalating debts, the company was pushed to the brink. Legal disputes with lenders and daily financial pressures tested his resolve, but rather than retreat, he chose resilience. It was a period marked by tough lessons in crisis management and strategic adaptation.
In an unexpected twist, the COVID-19 pandemic — while devastating to many industries — brought a turning point for Kanro Interiors. Long-standing clients, recognizing the company’s commitment and value, extended lifelines in the form of new projects, helping stabilize the company’s cash flow. Slowly but steadily, Kanro regained its footing, emerging from adversity stronger and more focused than ever before.
Now, with its Sri Lankan success story firmly established, Kanro Interiors is preparing to take its expertise global. Under the banner of Kanro Interiors UK Limited, the company is expanding into the British market, aiming to replicate its proven business model. The UK venture is set to offer the same high-quality, cost-effective corporate interior solutions, while also tapping into the global furniture trade. In a pioneering move, Kanro plans to facilitate cross-border exports of furniture between the UK and Sri Lanka, opening new doors for local manufacturers and designers while contributing to sustainable economic growth.
This international expansion marks a bold new chapter for Kanro, but the company’s core values remain unchanged: exceptional quality, unwavering client focus, and ethical business practices. Janaka also sees this as an opportunity to showcase Sri Lankan interior design talent on an international stage. “This expansion isn’t just about business growth. It’s about creating global opportunities for local designers, promoting sustainable practices, and adding real value to both economies,” he shares.
From a childhood dream to an industry leader, Janaka’s entrepreneurial journey is a compelling reminder that with the right mix of courage, vision, and resilience, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved. Under his steady leadership, Kanro Interiors continues not only to transform spaces but also to redefine the meaning of trust and partnership in the world of interiors — both in Sri Lanka and soon, far beyond.