Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of the renowned Sri Lankan tea brand ‘Dilmah Tea’, passed away in Colombo this morning (20), aged 93.
Born in 1930 in Negombo, Fernando began working as a tea assistant at the age of 24 and was amongst the first group of Ceylonese to be permitted to learn tea tasting.
In 1985, Sri Lanka’s first valued added Ceylon tea brand ‘Dilma’ was launched by him.
The company exports to more than 100 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
