Merrill Joseph Fernando (born 6 May, 1930) is the founder and former CEO of the global tea company

Dilmah Dilmah is a Sri Lankan brand of Ceylon tea, sold internationally. The company was founded in 1988 by Merrill J Fernando. The name Dilmah was chosen by combining the first names of Fernando's sons Dilhan and Malik. It is available in over 100 co ...

. In 2019, Fernando stood down as CEO of

, as his son, Dilhan, was appointed the new head of the company.

Early life

Fernando was born in Pallansena,

Negombo Negombo (, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the west coast and at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in Western Province, from Colombo via Colombo - Katunayake Expressway. Negombo is one of the major commercial hubs in the country an ...

, British Ceylon 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fernando, Merrill Sinhalese businesspeople Businesspeople in tea Sri Lankan Roman Catholics Sri Lankan environmentalists 1930 births Living people

Early life

Career

Further reading

References