Merrill Joseph Fernando (born 6 May, 1930) is the founder and former CEO of the global tea company
Dilmah. In 2019, Fernando stood down as CEO of
Dilmah, as his son, Dilhan, was appointed the new head of the company.
Early life
Fernando was born in
Pallansena,
Negombo,
British Ceylon
British Ceylon ( si, බ්රිතාන්ය ලංකාව, Britānya Laṃkāva; ta, பிரித்தானிய இலங்கை, Biritthāṉiya Ilaṅkai) was the British Crown colony of present-day Sri Lanka between ...
in 1930. Fernando attended
Maris Stella College
, motto_translation = ''Show us the way''
, type = Private Catholic Boys School
, established =
, religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic
, principal = Sunanda Alwis
, alumni ...
in Negombo and
Saint Joseph's College, Colombo
, motto_translation = In Knowledge and Virtue
, location = T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10
, country = Sri Lanka
, coordinates =
, caption = School Facade
, pushpin_m ...
in his youth. His first job was as a inspector for a U.S. petroleum company.
Career
Fernando was one of the first Sri Lankan tea tasters to be selected to learn about tea in Mincing Lane, London. Up until this time, the prevailing colonial system did not believe Sri Lankans were capable of assessing tea as they felt they ate too much curry which would affect their assessment of the taste. However, Fernando was one of five who were selected and trained in London.
Further reading
*
*
* ''The Teamaker'' (2009). Dilmah Publication.
* "https://www.dilmahtea.com/70-years-of-tea-inspiration/"
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fernando, Merrill
Sinhalese businesspeople
Businesspeople in tea
Sri Lankan Roman Catholics
Sri Lankan environmentalists
1930 births
Living people