40 years of making the world a better tea 

Conference 1st Day Award Ceremony

Dilmah Family Conference

• Established in 1985, Dilmah celebrated its 40th anniversary this year 
• Largest international Dilmah partner conference held in Colombo 
• Nine individuals felicitated with ‘Making a Stand’ Legacy Awards 
• Revitalised logo in commemoration of Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando 

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”. Second and third generation guardians of that legacy were joined in Colombo by 350 guests from the Dilmah Global Family in celebrating the milestone achievement. Founded in 1985 by the legendary late teamaker Merrill J. Fernando, Dilmah was the first genuinely ethical, producer-owned tea brand in the world. 

The significance of Dilmah is the sincerity of its Founder’s wish to embed kindness to people and nature into the heart of the brand. That philosophy was implemented in the 1970s, when economists defined the social responsibility of business as the production of profit and stakeholder value. 

“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. 

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. 

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. 

 The Dilmah story is especially remarkable for the alignment of the passion of an ordinary Sri Lankan, with his desire to serve humanity, and the potent outcome of the combination. Earnings from Dilmah fund the humanitarian work of the MJF Charitable Foundation and the environmental impact of Dilmah Conservation. Dilmah has inspired growers around the world that amidst gross commoditisation and relentless discount culture, quality and integrity with purpose is strength and resilience.

Dilmah Global Family representing over 110 countries