Per L. Saxegaard

Merrill. Your warmth, personality and passion will remain signatures of the Dilmah culture in future. I can see it so well reflected In your sons. What a great and inspiring human being you are!

Congratulations on your great day I You truly stand out as a role model in business. A visionary trallblazer with a track record of solving problems that create value for both society and business, conscious of acting ethically and responsibly. Being businessworthy is what that is called. An example for others to follow. An example that other leaders are following. Far outside your own country

That is why, you, after a global nomination process through the International Chamber of Commerce* the United Nations Development Program and the UN Global Compact, were selected by an independent Award Committee of Nobel Laureates in Peace and Economics as winner of the Business for Peace Award, and named a Business for Peace Honouree

I remember so well the Ceremony when you received the Award in the Oslo City Hall, the venue of the Nobel Peace Prize, on the date of your 85th birthday, five years ago. Impressed by you and your accomplishment, the audience of dose to 1000 people ail rose instinctively and sang the birthday song to honor you!

I think your success is not just because you developed the correct recipe in business. I think, contrary to the usual faceless corporations one so often find, it is because behind Dilmah, there is you, Merrill. Your warmth, personality and passion will remain signatures of the Dilmah culture in future. I can see it so well reflected In your sons. What a great and inspiring human being you are!

On behalf of the Business for Peace Foundation and your fellow Business for Peace Honourees, I wish you a tremendous 90th birthday 170 years of energlc, businessworthy work with tea, developing Dilmah to a world-renowned brand and a societal position, is stunningly impressive.

Through your work and engagements, you have and continue to make a long-lasting impact on the lives of tens of thousands of children, youth, and adults. I remain in awe of your many achievements and your dedication to making the world a better place. The Foundation is honored to have you as part of the Business for Peace Honouree family and are proud to contribute in telling your story worldwide. You^r&a true businessworthy hero. rest personal greetings from Norway,

"Merrill. Your warmth, personality and passion will remain signatures of the Dilmah culture in future. I can see it so well reflected In your sons. What a great and inspiring human being you are!"