Dilmah Tea founder Merrill J. Fernando dies aged 93

by Anna McGuinness

Dilmah Tea founder Merrill J. Fernando has died aged 93.

The "iconic teamaker, disrupter and servant" died in Colombo, Sri Lanka surrounded by his sons and grandchildren on July 20.

The company paid tribute to Mr Fernando's "invincible faith, his integrity and love for tea and family", in a statement on a memorial website.

Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando has died aged 93. Picture by Dilmah Tea

"His achievement in disrupting an exploitative colonial industry irrevocably changed the lives of producers around the world introducing a paradigm shift in ethical business before ethics and sustainable business acquired the prominence they have now," the statement said.

Mr Fernando's face became familiar to Aussies through a Dilmah television ad ending with his encouraging words; "do try it".

A life dedicated to tea

Mr Fernando was born in Negombo, Sri Lanka in 1930.

He started bulk exporting tea in 1962 to countries including Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Fernando's son Malik posted this photo at
The Moruya Examiner website via Twitter

He had two sons, Malik and Dilhan, and a combination of their names formed the company's Dilmah brand in 1988.

In 2002 Mr Fernando launched the MJF Charitable Foundation which launched a major relief effort after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Celebrating 70 years in the industry in 2020, Mr Fernando said tea was a "soothing balm" that had helped mankind solve problems for centuries.

"The simple act of pouring a cup of tea is, in itself an ice-breaker, providing pleasurable anticipation of the goodness that it to follow.

Mr Fernando's other son Dilhan posted this photo on the
Moruya Examiner website, via Twitter.

"I have dedicated 70 years of my life towards providing the cup: not only to solve the problems but also to bring hope to our farmers with every sip of Dilmah tea."

Mr Fernando will be laid to rest in a private burial in Negombo on July 22.

Watch the Dilmah TV commercial on YouTube. Click here!

First published at Bay Post Moruya Examiner, July 21, 2023