FamilyFounder HomeFamilyFounder Merrill J. Fernando Teamaker, disruptor, servant 1930 – 2023 The young Sri Lankan who set out to make the world a better tea, became known as the world’s Teamaker for the invincible faith and relentless commitment with which he pursued his vision of quality with integrity. Merrill J. Fernando was born to a simple, rural Sri Lankan family and he overcame his modest circumstances by taking his beloved tea to the world with kindness to people and nature. He was the first tea grower to offer tea grown and ethically crafted at source, right where it is grown, to tea drinkers around the world. He named his tea after his sons and travelled the world inviting people to, “do try it!”. His success gave hope to artisans and producers around the world and as God blessed him with success, he fulfilled his promise of kindness. At the time of his passing, his Dilmah Tea had touched the lives of millions through the education, entrepreneurship development, nutrition, care for people with disability, and other projects of his MJF Charitable Foundation, and the environmental impact of Dilmah Conservation. His legacy lives on, stewarded by his generations. Founder's journeyMerrill J. Fernando’s devotion to tea is a tale of uncompromising commitment to quality and purpose that lies beyond profit. Follow his journey of how he made every cup of Dilmah Tea into a cup of kindness. Array ( [] => [heading] => Founder's journey [sub_heading] => [media] => Array ( [media_type] => image [image] => 7824 [video_file] => [video_file_thumbnail] => [video_platform] => [video_id] => [video_thumbnail] => [show_in] => in-self ) [content] => Merrill J. Fernando’s devotion to tea is a tale of uncompromising commitment to quality and purpose that lies beyond profit. Follow his journey of how he made every cup of Dilmah Tea into a cup of kindness. [link] => [button2_link] => [image_position] => right [media_width] => 50 [is_milestone] => no [vertical_alignment] => center [section_title] => [section_toggle] => on [section_overflow] => hidden [section_width] => wide [section_height] => auto [section_animation] => off [background_type] => white [background_width_limit] => no [background_image] => Array ( [image] => ) [background_video] => Array ( [video] => [poster] => ) [background_position] => Array ( [pos_x] => [pos_y] => [pos_x_custom] => [pos_y_custom] => ) [background_parallax] => Array ( [parallax] => no [speed] => 1 [height] => 1.2 [contain] => yes ) [background_opacity] => 1 [background_brightness] => 1 [overlay_type] => off [overlay_color] => primary-dark [overlay_opacity] => 0.85 [overlay_height] => 85 [font-colour] => black ) PhilosophyFulfilling our Founder’s philosophy of making ‘business a matter of human service’, at least 15% of pre-tax profits benefit communities in need and nature. Array ( [] => [heading] => Philosophy [sub_heading] => [media] => Array ( [media_type] => image [image] => 7152 [video_file] => [video_file_thumbnail] => [video_platform] => [video_id] => [video_thumbnail] => [show_in] => in-self ) [content] => Fulfilling our Founder’s philosophy of making ‘business a matter of human service’, at least 15% of pre-tax profits benefit communities in need and nature. [link] => [button2_link] => [image_position] => left [media_width] => 50 [is_milestone] => no [vertical_alignment] => center [section_title] => [section_toggle] => on [section_overflow] => hidden [section_width] => wide [section_height] => auto [section_animation] => off [background_type] => white [background_width_limit] => no [background_image] => Array ( [image] => ) [background_video] => Array ( [video] => [poster] => ) [background_position] => Array ( [pos_x] => [pos_y] => [pos_x_custom] => [pos_y_custom] => ) [background_parallax] => Array ( [parallax] => no [speed] => 1 [height] => 1.2 [contain] => yes ) [background_opacity] => 1 [background_brightness] => 1 [overlay_type] => off [overlay_color] => primary-dark [overlay_opacity] => 0.85 [overlay_height] => 85 [font-colour] => black ) In his own wordsVideo messages from our Founder, sharing valuable insights.Array ( [] => [heading] => In his own words [sub_heading] => Video messages from our Founder, sharing valuable insights. [media] => Array ( [media_type] => image [image] => 7861 [video_file] => [video_file_thumbnail] => [video_platform] => [video_id] => [video_thumbnail] => [show_in] => in-self ) [content] => [link] => [button2_link] => [image_position] => right [media_width] => 50 [is_milestone] => no [vertical_alignment] => center [section_title] => [section_toggle] => on [section_overflow] => hidden [section_width] => wide [section_height] => auto [section_animation] => off [background_type] => white [background_width_limit] => no [background_image] => Array ( [image] => ) [background_video] => Array ( [video] => [poster] => ) [background_position] => Array ( [pos_x] => [pos_y] => [pos_x_custom] => [pos_y_custom] => ) [background_parallax] => Array ( [parallax] => no [speed] => 1 [height] => 1.2 [contain] => yes ) [background_opacity] => 1 [background_brightness] => 1 [overlay_type] => off [overlay_color] => primary-dark [overlay_opacity] => 0.85 [overlay_height] => 85 [font-colour] => black ) Letters & wishesGood wishes and kind messages to our Founder.Array ( [] => [heading] => Letters & wishes [sub_heading] => Good wishes and kind messages to our Founder. [media] => Array ( [media_type] => image [image] => 7145 [video_file] => [video_file_thumbnail] => [video_platform] => [video_id] => [video_thumbnail] => [show_in] => in-self ) [content] => [link] => [button2_link] => [image_position] => left [media_width] => 50 [is_milestone] => no [vertical_alignment] => center [section_title] => [section_toggle] => on [section_overflow] => hidden [section_width] => wide [section_height] => auto [section_animation] => off [background_type] => white [background_width_limit] => no [background_image] => Array ( [image] => ) [background_video] => Array ( [video] => [poster] => ) [background_position] => Array ( [pos_x] => [pos_y] => [pos_x_custom] => [pos_y_custom] => ) [background_parallax] => Array ( [parallax] => no [speed] => 1 [height] => 1.2 [contain] => yes ) [background_opacity] => 1 [background_brightness] => 1 [overlay_type] => off [overlay_color] => primary-dark [overlay_opacity] => 0.85 [overlay_height] => 85 [font-colour] => black ) Kindness daySince 2024, every year on 6th May, we honour the birth anniversary of our Founder with the commemoration of ‘Kindness Day’. Array ( [] => [heading] => Kindness day [sub_heading] => [media] => Array ( [media_type] => image [image] => 7147 [video_file] => [video_file_thumbnail] => [video_platform] => [video_id] => [video_thumbnail] => [show_in] => in-self ) [content] => Since 2024, every year on 6th May, we honour the birth anniversary of our Founder with the commemoration of ‘Kindness Day’. [link] => [button2_link] => [image_position] => right [media_width] => 50 [is_milestone] => no [vertical_alignment] => center [section_title] => [section_toggle] => on [section_overflow] => hidden [section_width] => wide [section_height] => auto [section_animation] => off [background_type] => white [background_width_limit] => no [background_image] => Array ( [image] => ) [background_video] => Array ( [video] => [poster] => ) [background_position] => Array ( [pos_x] => [pos_y] => [pos_x_custom] => [pos_y_custom] => ) [background_parallax] => Array ( [parallax] => no [speed] => 1 [height] => 1.2 [contain] => yes ) [background_opacity] => 1 [background_brightness] => 1 [overlay_type] => off [overlay_color] => primary-dark [overlay_opacity] => 0.85 [overlay_height] => 85 [font-colour] => black )
