Because of Them, My Life Knows Love
By Mamie Adkins
Honouring the ones who walked beside me until I could walk on my own
Part 2 of 3
From the Quiet Voices Within, I Found the Echoes of Their Strength
Welcome back to Part Two of our series honouring the story, mission and inspiration behind Dilmah Tea.
I’m Mamie Adkins — writer, wife, mother, survivor, and lifelong lover of tea. During some of the darkest chapters of my life, it wasn’t just words that brought me peace — it was the ritual of tea. Dilmah became part of that healing. This story is my way of honouring a company whose values mirror the ones I hold closest: integrity, compassion and the power of quiet moments.
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Dedicated to those whose quiet strength helped me find my own.
Dilhan C. Fernando and his father, Merrill J. Fernando at Somerset Tea.
The Next Generation: Tradition Meets Innovation
Merrill J. Fernando’s (MJF) legacy continues through the dedicated efforts of his family, each contributing uniquely to uphold and expand the family’s vision.
Dilhan C. Fernando, the younger son of MJF, serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC. Under his leadership, Dilhan ensures that every aspect of tea production aligns with the family’s commitment to quality, authenticity and ethical practices. His stewardship honours the tradition of producing pure Ceylon tea while embracing sustainable and innovative approaches.
Malik J. Fernando, the elder son of MJF, has channelled his expertise into luxury hospitality. As the Managing Director of Resplendent Ceylon, Malik established Sri Lanka’s first true luxury resort brand, offering guests unparalleled experiences celebrating the island’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. His ventures have elevated Sri Lanka’s status as a premier travel destination, seamlessly integrating the story of Ceylon tea into unique guest experiences.
The passion extends to the third generation with Amrit M. J. Fernando, Dilhan’s son. Deeply involved in the art of tea-making, Amrit immerses himself in the craft, tasting hundreds of cups weekly to perfect the legacy his grandfather began. His focus on innovation and sustainability ensures that Dilmah continues to evolve while honouring its foundational values.
Together, the Fernando family exemplifies a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, ensuring that Dilmah remains synonymous with integrity, excellence, and a heartfelt commitment to sharing the finest Ceylon tea with the world.
Building a legacy isn’t just about carrying a name — it’s about honouring the values that built it in the first place. Merrill J. Fernando instilled something far more significant than business acumen in his sons: a commitment to kindness, sustainability, and the people who make it all possible. But to understand the full depth of his mission, we must look at the man behind the tea — the visionary who changed an entire industry.
The Visionary Behind Dilmah: A Legacy of Passion and Integrity
If you think a cup of tea is just about dunking a tea bag into hot water, Merrill J. Fernando would politely correct you.
After you dip the tea bag in hot water, cover the cup with a saucer and leave it for three to five minutes so the aroma doesn’t escape. And remember, the best cup of tea is made without milk or sugar.
Fernando didn’t just sell tea — he lived it.
Fernando’s journey started in the 1950s when he travelled to England and saw how Sri Lankan tea was mixed with inferior varieties and sold as “Ceylon Tea.” This troubled him deeply. Sri Lanka, once the proud leader of high-quality single-origin tea, was being reduced to just another supplier for multinational corporations.
At just 24 years old, he made it his life’s mission to change that.
✔ He was one of the first Sri Lankans to be trained as a tea taster, despite the British tea traders insisting that Sri Lankan locals couldn’t be trusted because they “ate too much spicy food” and had compromised palates.
✔ For decades, he fought against the system, determined to create a brand belonging to Sri Lanka, not foreign traders.
✔ He pioneered single-origin, hand-picked, and locally packed tea, ensuring that 100% of the value remained in Sri Lanka.
For 34 years, he carried this vision like a fire in his heart — until in 1985 and late into his 50s, he finally launched Dilmah Tea.
“If a little ant like me must compete with the giants, I must think differently,” he once said.
✔ He named the brand “Dilmah” after his two sons, Dilhan and Malik.
✔ He became his brand ambassador, putting his face on every tea box to guarantee its quality.
✔ He fought off powerful multinational corporations, proving that a family-owned tea brand from Sri Lanka could stand among the best in the world.
Today, Dilmah is one of the world’s leading tea brands, serving over 60 million consumers daily across more than 100 countries. Their state-of-the-art tea-bagging plant is recognised as one of the most sophisticated in the world, ensuring every cup of Dilmah tea meets the highest standards of freshness and quality.
From a small family dream to a global brand, Dilmah continues to stand for quality, tradition and authenticity.
A Commitment to Giving Back
For Merrill J. Fernando, success was never just about business, but about impact. From the beginning, he envisioned a company serving people, not just profits.
“The environment is central to Dilmah’s business, and Dilmah Conservation was established as an affirmation of this core commitment to environmental sustainability.” — Merrill J. Fernando
With this vision in mind, he founded the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation, ensuring that a significant portion of Dilmah’s revenue goes toward initiatives that uplift Sri Lankan communities, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainability.
✔ The MJF Charitable Foundation funds education, healthcare, and livelihood programmes for underprivileged communities, offering vocational training, scholarships, and healthcare facilities to those in need.
✔ Dilmah Conservation focuses on environmental sustainability, including reforestation projects, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable agriculture initiatives. Dilmah supports projects that protect Sri Lanka’s natural heritage, from sheltering orphaned elephants to funding climate change research and regenerative farming.
For Fernando, tea was never just about a drink — it was a way to change lives.
We believe in sharing with those who help us earn, his son Dilhan C. Fernando, explains.
Tea is more than a drink — it’s an experience, a journey that stretches far beyond the cup. But what if that journey led you beyond the plantation, beyond the factory, into a world of luxury, discovery and indulgence?
R. Mamie Adkins
For Merrill J. Fernando, giving back wasn’t an afterthought but a lifelong promise. His impact stretched far beyond tea. But his influence didn’t stop at the plantations. He saw something more significant — an opportunity to share Sri Lanka’s beauty with the world through tea and breathtaking experiences.
The next generation affirms that the spirit of Dilmah is not just in the tea — it’s in the hearts of those entrusted to carry it forward.
<Image: Calsey Estate>
Where legacy grows in quiet rows, even when the future is shrouded in mist.
With heartfelt thanks to the team at Dilmah Tea for their quiet generosity and belief in sharing this story. Their values shine not only in their tea, but in the way they treat others — with warmth, grace and integrity.
