Dilmah celebrates 40 years in tea business  

Sri Lanka’s flagship international Tea brand, Dilmah, celebrates 40 years this year, with renewed commitment to Teamaker Merrill J. Fernando’s founding promise of Quality, Integrity and Kindness. 

The Dilmah Global Family marked the anniversary with a revitalised emblem featuring Founder Merrill J. Fernando, and a figure representing the workers and artisans for whom he fought during a life devoted to tea and kindness. 

The shield reflects his faith and courage in confronting an exploitative colonial economic system, and a Kandyan crown honours his love for Sri Lanka. Each element links to the values he championed: respect for Nature’s biodiversity, the influence of Nature in crafting taste and goodness in tea, and the kindness to people and nature that are at the core of that philosophy. 

“My father found his purpose in tea — its taste and tradition, and in the lives it could impact. This anniversary is not only a celebration of what our father built, but fresh commitment to the mission to which he devoted his life. We do that by making a stand for quality, integrity, people and planet,” explained Dilhan C. Fernando, younger son of the late Founder, at the unveiling of a new emblem. 

Fernando has been widely credited for his contribution to protecting the integrity of Ceylon tea and the tea industry in Sri Lanka. “We can never forget the spirit of our father and the significance of what he achieved because what he achieved was significant,” said Malik J. Fernando, elder son of the late Founder.  

Nine individuals were felicitated at the celebration, with awards recognising their contribution to Merrill J. Fernando’s Dilmah Story. The ‘Making a Stand’ Legacy Awards were presented to Daron Curtiss, Nigel Scott, Himendra S. Ranaweera, Murray Johnston, John Burton, Tomasz Witomski, Julita Witomska, Chris Clappas, and K. R. Ravindran.  

The 40th anniversary celebrations took place alongside the biennial Dilmah Global Family Conference. This was its 11th occasion since 2003 and the largest one yet with 150 delegates representing 51 countries in attendance. It was followed by the 90th session of the Dilmah School of Tea with over 200 joining additionally.