Dilmah felicitates planters on 150th anniversary of Ceylon Tea
by Steve A. Morrell
Merrill J Fernando speaking at the event
Last week the Dilmah Factor in the evolution of Ceylon Tea was succinctly portrayed at the ‘Vintage Gathering’ of planters brought together by DILMAH, the international brand for Ceylon Tea. Planters present that evening traced back their planting contributions from the ‘60’s through the 80’s.
Quite within context, Chairman, and Founder DILMAH, Tea, Merrill J Fernando, in a memorable speech to those present, appropriately said he was pleased that his company could muster a substantial number of planters who created an impact on the industry. They set their mark in an indelible focus on its evolution particularly that ‘planting’ was not merely a job they had to do, but such men brought to bear personal commitment that each estate and its administration was a singular commitment irrespective of who their principals were.
The occasion was the pre- publication event of the book ‘The History of Ceylon Tea From DILMAH For lovers of Tea’, edited by David Colin-Thome.
Merrill Fernando further said within its historical perspectives, the workers and support staff on estates were not adequately recognized. He quickly corrected that anomaly by effectively recognizing their services and giving them due credit in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practiced on all estates run by his company.
Welfare measures included avenues for education, housing, sanitation, and sharing of benefits that accrued because of their hard work. Kahawatte Plantations PLC, was the Regional Plantation Company administered by Dilmah with 15,000 worker families resident on their estates. CSR on Dilmah Estates was nothing new, but an ongoing focus over the past 45 years.
Equal opportunities in education meant that worker’s children had now entered universities and passed out as professionals in their selected disciplines.
He said his financial progress and benefits were adequately distributed in the CSR practices which were on-going as routine on all his estates including Talawakelle and Elpitiya Plantations.
Dilhan Fernando, Director Marketing, and Merrill Fernando’s younger son, in an introduction to the evening’s gathering, said it was appropriate that all in the room had distinctly contributed to the industry. They had every reason to be justly associated with the history of Ceylon Tea as celebrated that evening.
Editor of the book, David Colin – Thome, introduced the content of the website which in its formulation and research was yet incomplete.
