Merrill J Fernando

He is the Chairman of MJF Holdings Limited and one of Sri Lanka’s first tea tasters in the then British-dominated trade. He is the Founder of “DILMAH TEA” brand name which re-launched, redefined and re-established the quality of Ceylon tea. DILMAH is a much respected global name, renowned for its quality, and its philosophy of caring and sharing with the community.

He was the pioneer in adding value to tea at origin, branding and marketing Ceylon tea quite successfully. Value addition at origin created significant services industries in printing, packaging, graphics and introducing packaging technology to Sri Lanka.

Mr. Fernando incorporated the MJF Charitable Foundation, to fulfill his pledge to make his business a matter of human service. His Foundation and Dilmah Conservation use a significant share of the earning from the sale of Dilmah tea and other companies in the Dilmah Group, towards creating better conditions for the underprivileged and the wider community, whilst implementing positive and sustainable environmental interventions.