Merrill J. Fernando dedicated his life to tea when in the 1950s, he saw the concentration of ownership in the tea industry in the hands of a few large corporations. This was leading to commoditisation of tea. He decided that in the interest of tea drinkers around the world, and the crop that his country produced with so much care and artistry, he would fight this process of commoditisation.

It took him nearly four decades and in 1988 he launched his own brand – Dilmah. Dilmah was the first producer owned tea brand, and offered tea 'picked, perfected and packed' at origin. Unlike the multi-origin blends that monopolised supermarket shelves, Dilmah brought tea that is freshly packed at source and is therefore rich in flavour and natural goodness.

Dilmah is unique; a brand that is founded on a passionate commitment to quality and authenticity in tea, it is also a part of a philosophy that goes beyond commerce in seeing business as a matter of human service. This is what makes Dilmah the first ethically produced tea.

Merrill J. Fernando thoroughly believes that no business is possible without the combined efforts, and the commitment of its stakeholders. The MJF Charitable Foundation is therefore the expansion of the caring that was naturally bestowed upon his staff which was then extended towards a national level. His list of stakeholders also included the environment. And thus, Dilmah Conservation was born with the aim of fostering respect for the environment and to ensure its protection by encouraging harmonious coexistence between man and nature. 

Business ethics and social responsibility guide the family business and these values are embodied in the 6 pillars of Dilmah; Integrity, quality, ethics, our customer, tradition and sustainability.