World-famous Dilmah Tea founder says goodbye to his commitment
An icon in the Sri Lankan Tea Industry, Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of Dilmah Tea passed away at the age of 93, on Thursday, 20th July morning in Sri Lanka. A private funeral service will be held for Fernando Today, Saturday, 22nd July at St. Mary’s Church, Pallansena in Negombo.
The Dilmah Family tweeted that Merrill J. Fernando passed away surrounded by family, adding that his generation will follow as he rests in the arms of his Lord.
The eldest son, Dilhan C. Fernando – @dilhanfernando had written on his Twitter, My #father was an icon for his belief in #integrity & his conviction that his love for #CeylonTea must benefit less fortunate people. He built a great brand for #SriLanka with unimaginable #kindness. Now in the arms of our #Jesus. #RIP thathie (Dad)” 
US Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Julie Chung wrote on her Twitter @USAmbSL “My deepest condolences on the passing of Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of @Dilmah Tea, Sri Lanka. He was a pioneer who took Ceylon tea to the world with great passion and inspired generations of entrepreneurs. We honor Dilmah’s unwavering partnership over the decades and share our condolences with his family and loved ones.”
“Merrill Joseph Fernando, a good Catholic, was 93 at the time of his passing and was well known for building a tea empire under the “Dilmah” Brand of passion, quality, and unmatched love for tea.”
The trailblazing entrepreneur was credited with taking single-origin Sri Lankan tea to over 100 countries worldwide, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the global tea industry.
Having laid the foundation of Dilmah Tea in the early 1970s, Merrill J. Fernando revolutionized the tea industry by introducing the concept of single-origin Ceylon tea.
Merrill J. Fernando was born in Negombo, a major city in Sri Lanka located about 30km from Colombo on the 6th of May in 1930, and in 1954 he started to work as a Tea Assistant with Arthur Frederick Jones and his sons Dennis & Alan Jones at AF Jones & Co. He started his tea journey in his 20s.
Four years later, he was appointed as Managing Director by the owning family of A. F. Jones & Co.
In 1962, he resigned from A F Jones and started Ceylon Tea Services Company, later that year established Merrill J. Fernando Company and exported bulk tea to Russia, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Libya, Egypt & Saudi Arabia.
In 1982 Merrill J. Fernando established Ceylon Tea Services Ltd., floated as a public company on the request of the government to support a fledgling Colombo Stock Exchange.
The launch of Sri Lanka’s first valued added Ceylon Tea Brand “Dilma” with Mauri Foods took place in 1985.
Over the years, Dilmah went on to win many local and international awards under the leadership of Merrill J. Fernando.
Merrill J. Fernando will be remembered for his humanity and his achievement in personally and passionately creating a global family behind the cause he pursued every day of his life for 73 years; Ceylon Tea with Taste, Goodness and ethical Purpose.
Fernando also founded the MJF Charitable Foundation in 2003, which is committed to sharing the profits of Dilmah sales to help communities across Sri Lanka.
In 2007, the tea veteran established the Dilmah Conservation with a focus to protect the environment through ethical and sustainable business operations.
Tea lovers have also paid tribute to the father-of-two (Dilahn and Malik) whose brand is stocked in more than 100 countries.
The lovers of Mr. Merrill J Fernando and Dilmah Tea are expressing their thoughts and gratitude through social media since the death announcement heard yesterday and said,
“A true legend of the industry and a great ambassador to Ceylon Tea. May his soul rest in peace,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“A wonderful life lived in serving Sri Lanka reach great heights. Truly an inspiration to us all. May you rest in peace,” another person wrote on Twitter.
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