Merrill Joseph Fernando (6 May 1930 – 20 July 2023) was the founder and CEO of the Sri Lankan tea company Dilmah. He joined as a tea taster in the much-coveted tea trade which remained out of bounds to locals when the tea industry was under British control. Merrill J. Fernando’s greatest achievement was in overcoming the exploitation of his country’s tea industry and taking his tea to tea lovers around the world. In 2007, Merrill extended the humanitarian assistance his businesses offered to the environment with the formation of Dilmah Conservation, to deliver positive environmental and cultural intervention Merrill was honored many times here and abroad. In 2016 he was chosen Sri Lankan of the Year and in 2018 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for humanitarian service from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies at the Congress. In August 2019 Dilmah’s Founder was again honored when the Sri Lankan National award “Deshamanya” was bestowed upon him.
Overview
- Funeral Status: Due
- Decision on Date of Funeral: Not Yet
- Date of Funeral: July 20, 2023