Real High Tea The Langham with Merrill J. Fernando

When Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando and his son Dilhan C. Fernando were in Sydney this week, it was a real privilege to join them for tea.

Dilmah Real High Tea was hosted by celebrity Chef (and Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge judge) Peter Kuruvita at The Langham Hotel, where we had a chance to try four Dilmah teas and taste two of the winning Australian entries. The launch of this event was so important to Chef Peter Kuruvita that he had his sons take time out of school to join him at the table with his wife Karen.

With the competition continuing in Dilmah countries around the world, Merill J. Fernando chose Australia as the first country for judging due to it being the country that gave Dilmah it’s start. That was some time ago now. Back in the ’50s he also made a pledge to change the lives of underprivileged people. “Business is a matter of human service” he reiterated throughout the event.

Fernando is a humble man who exudes a real honesty. He impressed – and not only with his tea – as the focus of the high tea was on the work of the MJF Charitable Foundation in empowering children and women from underprivileged communities in the North and East of Sri Lanka. I like that. I like that the effort is concentrated towards children and women.

Photo Gallery >> Dilmah tea in the first sense MJF Foundation

The MJF Charitable Foundation was established by Merrill J. Fernando, who firmly believes and practices the concept of business as a matter of human service. The Foundation manages over 300 humanitarian projects in Sri Lanka each year, building schools and hospitals, assisting the poor and differently abled, whilst also caring for workers on tea gardens.

Dilmah Conservation is working towards a more sustainable use of the environment through a joint effort with IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Dilmah Conservation initiative aims to foster respect for the environment and ensure its protection by encouraging a harmonious co-existence of man and nature.