Founder of Dilmah tea - Merrill J. Fernando has passed away - Hiru News - Srilanka's Number One News Portal, Most visited website in Sri Lanka

Dilmah Tea Founder Merrill J. Fernando has passed away at the age of 93

Malik J Fernando son of Merrill Fernando leaving a Facebook note says;
He was such a towering figure in our lives; we never thought he would leave us. He is surely in the arms of the Lord today. My brother and I, and our children, pledge to strengthen his legacy and further his mission. RIP darling Thathie (father) Funeral details will be notified shortly.

Merrill Joseph Fernando (born 6 May 1930 - 20 July 2023) was the founder and former CEO of the Sri Lankan tea company Dilmah. In 2019, Fernando stood down as CEO of Dilmah and was succeeded by his son Dilhan Fernando.

A legend in the industry, he leaves a rich heritage of a business model for fellow Sri Lankans and the world. The unmatched passion for tea, the country and people. we id farewell to a wonderful journey, a rich legacy and a life that instilled hope, belief and confidence to all Sri Lankans.

He has single-handedly taken the name of Ceylon Tea and Sri Lanka to the world. Merrill J Fernando believed that in business it is also essential to help others. Therefore, through the Merrill J Fernando Charitable Foundation many people are supported and given a second chance in life. He drew inspiration from God and believed that what you spend on the underprivileged is lending to God and that God repays you in abundance.

Merrill J. Fernando took the country’s tea, to tea lovers around the world.

He also wanted to make business a matter of human service. The fulfillment of that philosophy is evident in the work of his MJF Charitable Foundation which uses a minimum 15% of the pretax profits of Dilmah and its ancillary businesses, to provide nutrition, education, care and support to differently abled children, youth in marginalized communities, the elderly.

In 2007, Merrill extended the humanitarian assistance his businesses offer, to the environment with the formation of Dilmah Conservation, to deliver positive environmental and cultural intervention.

His philosophy has delivered strong outcomes through entrepreneurship development amongst survivors of tsunami, war windows, empowerment of women, support for children with cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, supporting ancient tribes in Sri Lanka to adapt to the 21st Century, fostering innovation as a means of addressing developmental challenges, and a host of other projects.