Merrill J. Fernando facts for kids

Merrill Joseph Fernando (born May 6, 1930, died July 20, 2023) was a famous businessman from Sri Lanka. He was the person who started and led the tea company called Dilmah. In 2019, he stepped down as the CEO, and his son, Dilhan Fernando, took over.

Early Life and Dreams

Merrill J. Fernando was born in May 1930 in a small village called Pallansena, near Negombo in what was then British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). His family did not have a lot of money. He moved to Colombo, the capital city, for his schooling. He stayed there for his entire working life.

Merrill first wanted to become a lawyer. However, he changed his mind when he saw a chance to work in the tea trade. At that time, the tea industry was controlled by the British. It was very hard for local people to get jobs like tea tasters. Merrill was one of the first six Sri Lankans chosen to be trained as a tea taster.

Starting a Tea Company

Merrill J. Fernando's biggest success was helping his country's tea industry. He wanted to make sure that Sri Lankan tea reached people all over the world. He also wanted to make sure that the people who grew and made the tea were treated fairly.

He built his family tea business, Dilmah, on a special idea: that business should help people. This idea is shown through the work of his MJF Charitable Foundation. This foundation uses at least 15% of the company's profits before taxes. This money helps children with special needs, young people in poor areas, and older people. It provides them with food, education, care, and support.

Helping People and Nature

In 2007, Merrill also started helping the environment. He created Dilmah Conservation. This group works to protect nature and local cultures.

Merrill's ideas have led to many good projects. For example, he helped people who survived tsunamis and war widows start their own businesses. He supported women and children with conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism. He also helped ancient tribes in Sri Lanka learn to live in the modern world. All these projects aimed to share the success of Dilmah with those who were less fortunate.

Awards and Recognition

Merrill was recognized around the world for his work. In 2015, a group of Nobel Prize winners honored him with the Oslo Business for Peace Award. This award celebrates business leaders who work for peace.

In 2016, he was named Sri Lankan of the Year. In the same year, he received the FIRST Award for Responsible Capitalism. This award was for his work in improving the lives of children and poor communities. The company Dilmah was also called a "Brand with a Conscience" by a group called Medinge Group.

In 2018, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian work. This award came from the World Association of Chefs' Societies. In August 2019, Merrill was given the second highest national award in Sri Lanka. He received the title of "Deshamanya".

In November 2019, Massey University in New Zealand gave Merrill J. Fernando an honorary Doctor of Science degree. This special degree recognized his success in business and science. It also honored his commitment to making food ethically and his charity work. The university noted that Dilmah is known for its dedication to people.

More Information

• A Cup of Kindness, The Story of Dilmah Tea - [1]
• Business is a Matter of Human Service - [2]
• IMPACT 2022 - Family Business Serving Humanity through Kindness to Humans and Nature - [3]