Q: As your organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary, how would you describe American Premium Water’s journey so far?

A: Our journey at American Premium Water began in 1995 with a bold vision: to deliver pure, high quality drinking water to Sri Lankan households. As industry pioneers, we transformed bottled water from a commodity into a trusted brand by setting standards in quality, safety and consumer trust.

Today, we are a household name – recognised for product reliability and commitment to innovation, sustainability and community wellbeing. Our portfolio has expanded to include purified bottled water, dispensers and sustainable packaging. And we’ve established standards that exceed local regulations and requirements through quality and certifications.

A major milestone was the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first glass bottled water targeting the hotel, restaurant and catering (HORECA) and corporate sectors – reinforcing our environmental responsibility.

Additionally, a key strength is our vertically integrated supply chain – Cap Snap produces our bottles and American Logistics manages distribution – ensuring quality of service level.

Our journey reflects purpose, resilience and continuous reinvention – driven by consumer trust and a passionate team.

Q: What key lessons have you learned as a second generation leader in driving the business forward? 

A: Stepping into a legacy business has been a deeply personal and transformative journey. Built through challenges and hard-earned lessons, my role is to honour this legacy while evolving how we work.

Additionally, my experiences in business environments overseas and sports have shaped a leadership style grounded in engagement, empathy and data driven performance. We embraced flexible work well before the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to build a culture that’s inclusive, agile and performance driven.

We’re also focussed on developing mid-level leadership; nurturing young talent, encouraging feedback and prioritising emotional intelligence. To me, leadership must be human and accessible, whether it’s celebrating wins or sharing a meal. And real transformation starts by truly listening to employees, customers and the world around us.

Q: What initiatives have you implemented to future proof the organisation?

A: At American Premium Water, future proofing means building long-term relevance and resilience. We continuously innovate with eco-friendly packaging and hydration formats such as juices, and align with wellness trends.

Additionally, we’re redefining brand building in our category through purpose driven storytelling. Few bottled water companies invest in branding but we’re changing this by driving category growth and educating consumers on the importance of hydration.

Our partnership with OrphanCare elevates our purpose and we support over 90 orphanages from product sales. We’re also committed to fostering leadership at all levels while promoting diversity and inclusion.

Operationally, we focus on driving efficiency – from optimising logistics to reducing costs – without compromising quality. Every initiative is designed to ensure we align with our purpose: delivering trusted hydration solutions that improve lives and protect the planet.

Q: Given your background in sports, how important is hydration to athletic performance and overall wellbeing, and how has that impacted your management style?

A: Hydration is essential – not only for performance but recovery, focus and overall wellbeing. While my parents introduced me to tennis, cricket and badminton, it was rugby that I ultimately chose.

I represented Royal College, earned national colours – before gaining school colours – and went on to play rugby for the University of London. Sports taught me lifelong lessons: understanding people, discipline, teamwork, resilience and handpicking talent, building strong teams, decision making under pressure – all of which shape how I lead today. These principles guide our operations at American Premium Water.

Our organisation has also supported sporting events and athletes across Sri Lanka – from rugby and cricket to swimming – because we understand the role hydration contributes to performance and wellbeing. 

Q: What role does sustainability play in product innovation for your organisation?

A: At American Premium Water, sustainability is embedded in our DNA. Every product we create is designed with purpose – whether through our OrphanCare initiative, which supports 3,120 orphans or through donating over 800,000 litres of clean water to underserved communities.

Additionally, our sports sponsorships inspired 1.6 million people to lead a healthy lifestyle.

We’re also driving environmental stewardship through innovation. From pioneering Sri Lanka’s first glass bottled water to upcycling over 360 metric tonnes of plastic, our product development process is rooted in creating both commercial and environmental value.

Our people reflect our values: 45 percent of our workforce comprises women with 35 percent of them in leadership positions and we support the livelihoods of over 3,000 Sri Lankans. For us, sustainability isn’t only about the planet – it is about people, inclusion and long-term impact.

Q: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the organisation’s growth and long-term success?

A: Our vision at American Premium Water is to be Sri Lanka’s most trusted, sustainable hydration partner while expanding regionally. We view growth as multidimensional – driving market share while creating social, environmental and economic impact.

We’re innovating with new beverage categories with our investments in digital and smart hydration solutions and exploring global opportunities. Sustainability and purpose remain central with continued investment in community initiatives, environmental innovation and inclusive growth.

Additionally, we’re building a strong people brand, creating pathways for Sri Lankans to grow into future leaders. Value driven recruitment ensures we attract talent aligned with our mission. As we celebrate 30 years, the next chapter for our organisation is one of transformation, innovation and long-term value creation for stakeholders.

– Compiled by Nirmali Ameresekere
COMPANY DETAILS

Telephone: 7677100 | Email: info@americanwater.lk | Website: www.americanwater.lk