Business
Merril. J. Fernando’s autobiography launched
Merril Joseph Fernando’s incredible decades-long journey through the Ceylon Tea Industry where he unrelentingly sought to maximize the image of “pure Ceylon tea” as opposed to blends containing a small proportion of Ceylon tea, was launched at Dilmah’s Maligawatte facility where the success story began.
Fernando who recently celebrated his 93rd birthday and is just out of a spell of hospitalization could not be personally present at the event hosted by his two son, Malik and Dilhan, who’s names he combined to coin the brand name well known to tea drinkers the world over. But his well known face and image was widely projected in the auditorium where the event was held.
The book is presented on its cover as “The Story of Ceylon Teamaker Merril. J. Fernando, Disruptor. Teamaker. Servant.”
The over 400-page, lavishly produced volume is not quite a coffee table book in terms of dimension but is very similar though much richer in the substance of its content. Over 200 illustrations complement the text. The production locally by Printcare, a printing and packaging company in whose founding Fernando played a big role and has an ownership stake, is of impeccable quality.
The book which would have been very expensive to produce will be available for sale at Rs. 10,000 a copy. Clearly the inputs would have been close to that price or higher if all costs are factored. All proceeds will go to charitable projects of the MJF group. It’s a must read for all corporate leaders and budding entrepreneurs who would benefit from a role model.
The story-line is gripping and few punches are pulled. Fernando who made many friends and enemies along the way to creating the best know and fully Sri Lankan-owned brand is fond of often saying that “business is a matter of human service.” He has lived by this credo, allocating 15 percent of the profits of his company for charitable purposes.
His son, Dilhan, the CEO of the listed Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, overlooks the social responsibility side of the business with priority given to People, Planet and Profit in that order. The support that Dilmah has extended, particularly to members of the plantation worker community and to the environment is well known and both Fernando as well as his family and companies are proud of it.
Wednesday’s event was attended among others by Printcare Chairman, KR Ravindran, Anura Gunasekera, a tea planter who worked for 10 years with Merril Fernando post-retirement from the plantation sector, Himendra Ranaweera, Deputy Chairman of Dilmah who has long been Fernando’s lieutenant in the business and Malik and Dilhan Fernando all of whom spoke at the event.
Gunasekera’s writing skills are evident throughout the publication. He wrote the book from material provided by Fernando at several long interviews over a period of three years. He said that Fernando’s power of recall was incredible and the necessary documentation had been meticulously preserved over a very long period.
Ravindran who first met Merril Fernando at a Rotary event in Australia – Dilmah first made its name in Australia and New Zealand – and the other speakers drew on a wide range of anecdotes in the principal including one from Malik Fernando who said that the famed masseuse, Don Thomas, who massaged both Merril Fernando and Ranasinghe Premadasa, played a major role in conveying information from each other which enabled clearing the Malgawatte site accommodating much of Dilmah’s warehousing.
(A review of the book will be published next Sunday)
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
