News & events

It’s wonderful to see the year 5 students from Caxton College in Spain, walking to raise funds to support wheelchair camps conducted by the MJF Charitable Foundation for differently abled children in Sri Lanka 

Children from Dilmah’s MJF kids programme, made vibrant Vesak lanterns using eco-friendly material, with their friends to celebrate the significant Buddhist festival – VESAK.  

The Cricket Live Foundation (CLF) successfully completed its Cricket Live Premier league for the 9th consecutive year. Hundreds of school girls and boys from rural schools in Moratuwa and Siyambalanduwa areas joined us in the competition.  

Around The Pearl is an annual cycling challenge where riders embark on a journey around the coast of Sri Lanka raising funds for wheelchairs for children with Cerebral Palsy. 

Dilmah’s ‘The Genesis Project’ recently launched at the birthplace of Dilmah Tea in Maligawatte – will be an innovation hub and centre of excellence for Nature-based solutions. It will be an incubator that births and nurtures agripreneurs to reach their fullest potential and conquer international markets. And a home for industry experts and food and agri entrepreneurs to gather, share knowledge and inspire each other.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to H.M Susanjana Sathsara, S.M Wathsala Madushani, W.W.Seneth Theekshana, and P.Isuri Chethana Fernando the winners of the Mike Dormer Awards 2023.  

With the help of your cuppa the Dilmah MJF Charitable Foundation and Kahawatte Plantations have joined hands to support the Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service. We have pledged our commitment to allocating 7 ambulances to 7 District Hospitals across the country, including DGH Nawalapitiya, Base Hospital Kahawatte, Glencairn District Hospital Dickoya, Teaching Hospital Nuwara Eliya, Kiribathgoda, Point Pedro and Teaching Hospital Batticaloa. Staying true to our Founder Merrill J. Fernando's purpose, with every cup of Dilmah you sip, 15% of the profits go towards serving humanity with kindness to people & nature!

World Literacy Day is celebrated on 8 September every year. And Our MJF Centre East organized a series of programs for school children in the area to recognize their creativity and writing skills.

Luckey Deva is a musician whose songs and dramas have inspired positive change. His popularity and recognition as an artist date back to his days as a vocalist with the Golden Chimes in the 80s.

MAITS’ CEO went to visit one of our long-term partners, the National Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy and other Developmental Disorders (NCCCPDD), who we have been working with for a number of years,

Celebrating Differences – the much-awaited concert of MJF Charitable Foundation, marks the most joyous of seasons, Christmas where every child is given the chance to shine on stage.

The Dignified Empowerment and Sustainable Development Centre in Kalkudah in the Eastern Province

Continuing the legacy of Merrill J. Fernando, the MJF Centre for Dignified Empowerment and Sustainable Development

Village sewing classes are thriving at the MJFCF, Centre in Pahalalanda, with the first year of trainees already pursuing their own tailoring businesses.

Unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, for the women of Pahalaanda, the dressmaking course at MJFCF, Diriya Resource Centre has been a transformative journey. Seetha and Nandani are a two such passionate and persistent students setting an example for the rest of the village women who have gained inspiration from their humble yet powerful work.

The orientation programme for the class of 2018 of The Empower Culinary & Hospitality School was held on the 18^th of June, 2018 at the MJF Charitable Foundation, Moratuwa.

The third intake of Empower Culinary & Hospitality School graduated on the 31^st of March, 2018, after having successfully completed their intensive training course. The students prepared a custom-made menu which was presented the Settlor, Mr Merrill J. Fernando, his sons Malik J. Fernando and Dilhan C. Fernando, ECHS Governor Rohan Fernandopulle, Trustees, staff and friends of the MJF Charitable Foundation. The 3-course menu was a delectable display of their mastery of culinary disciplines, learnt during the programme.

‘Dhiriya’ gives hope to far-fetched goals in life. At Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation – Dhiriya Centre, 250 school children and young, ambitious adults, benefit from academic and vocational training which gives them ‘Dhiriya’ – the encouragement and support to excel in examinations and succeed in life as self-employed, independent individuals.

This year’s official theme of International Women’s Day, #PressforProgress, encourages women and men everywhere to take groundbreaking steps towards the progress of women. With a groundswell of momentum, on the 8^th of March 2018, The Women’s Development Programme from The MJF Foundation Centre in Moratuwa organized an entertaining and informative program at Dilmah HQ, Peliyagoda to celebrate and advocate for the advancement of women from all walks of life. The theme of the event resonated with the wishes of millions of women across the country who struggle and strive for progress in life.

Different forms of theatre—such as indoor stage dramas, street drama and puppet theatre performances—have been a part of Sinhalese culture for centuries. In fact, puppet theatre performances, known as rukada sandarshana in Sinhalese, have been traced back to the days of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms.

Wearing a colourful dress of yellow and orange with white lace around the neck line, she looked at the passersby with her large expressive eyes. Many who saw her, stopped in their tracks to take a picture of this pretty girl. Children were excited by the mere sight of her and a few intimidated, for she is all of 14 feet tall.

The annual sports meet of National Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders (NCCCPDD) was held last week.

The man who created history in the tea industry in Sri Lanka asserting that the future of the industry lies in the concept of marketing tea...

Avaz Sri Lanka is the first Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app launched in Sinhalese.

The Colombo Friend in Need Society ( CFIS), in collaboration Dilmah and assisted by several other private organizations and well-wishers , has organized the AIDEX Annual Sports Festival...

Team Ranaviru Sevana secured a last wicket win over team Shakthi during the nail biting finals of the 6^th Dilmah Challenge Trophy National Blind Cricket Tournament held on August 19^th at the Wesley College Grounds.

The Empower Culinary & Hospitality School, Sri Lanka’s premier culinary and hospitality facility with World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS) recognition...

The construction of the MJF Centre for Dignified and Sustainable Empowerment- East is progressing as men, women and children whose wellbeing was compromised due to the ethnic conflict, look forward to the brand new beginning…

Taj Samudra Colombo emerged victorious at the Bocuse d' Or Sri Lanka 2017 competition held recently. The winning concoction was the 'Best Dilmah Tea-Inspired Dish'.

Every individual has inherent ability regardless of their circumstances; poverty is debilitating, but not disabling, physical disability in most cases is ability...

Every individual has inherent ability regardless of their circumstances; poverty is debilitating, but not disabling, physical disability in most cases is ability in an untypical form.

The 4^th of June 2017 was a day of joy and celebration for the students of the Curtiss Center for Design.

The 6th Dilmah Challenge Trophy National Blind Cricket Tournament is set to begin tomorrow, it has been announced.

Eleven visually impaired Cricket teams will battle for supremacy in the 6th Dilmah Challenge Trophy National Blind Cricket Tournament scheduled from June 3-29.

Pursuing a hopeful aspiration to coalesce scientific knowledge and deeper reflection on nature, Dilmah Conservation will release its latest publication "A field guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies"...

Inspiring Sri Lanka's next generation through the success stories of innovative leaders, entrepreneurs and drivers of change. Indira Kithsiri and Hashendra Wijesinha collaborate to write a book...

The Empower Culinary & Hospitality School, Sri Lanka's premier culinary and hospitality facility, which creates new avenues for underprivileged and marginalised youth...

The Empower Culinary & Hospitality School, Sri Lanka's premier culinary and hospitality facility with World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS) recognition...

On February 3, 2017, the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) established in fulfillment of its Founder's philosophy...

On most days there is an aura of peace at the MJF Centre. Some kids drum, others sing, dance or perform acrobatics. Some kids look a little different as they have Down Syndrome, some Cerebral Palsy or Autism while others are typical and come from poverty stricken communities.

The man known as the Teamaker - Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando - was honoured in the United Kingdom with the FIRST Award for Responsible Capitalism 2016, on November 30 at the Royal Automobile Club, London.

Merrill J. Fernando, Settlor of the MJF Charitable Foundation, inaugurated a new Outpatient Department and Administrative Block for the Kayts Base Hospital earlier this month.

The Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) has always worked towards uplifting the conditions of the differently-abled and countering the discrimination faced by such individuals...

The world class chefs Sean Collins from Accor Hotels, Selvana Chelvanaigum from William Angliss Institute and Volker Marecek from The Langham, Auckland who volunteered to lecture and train the students of the Empower Culinary Training Centre...

An event highly anticipated by the MJF Kids Programme participants; both past and present- the 'First Decade...

The teenagers on wheelchair, accompanied by their caregivers, lined up at hallway of the National Centre for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders in Ambagahawatte on the outskirts of Colombo to attend the official opening of the Centre.

Volker Marecek has hung up his executive chef,s hat and jacket to go and teach young Sri Lankans how to cook, among other things, pasta.

The lack of awareness and social stigma associated with Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders...

It was a new lease of life for 21 estate families in the upper division of the Dunkeld estate when they received the keys to the brand new housing units built by the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation.

The Dilmah Blind Cricket Tournament finals was a true celebration of sportsmanship and teamwork among the visually impaired through the game of cricket. The two evenly matched teams Ranaviru of the Ranaviru Sevena (Home for Injured Soldiers) in Ragama and Shakthi Sports Club from the isolated area of Moneragala met in a nail biting match.

Kiwi cricket legend Sir Richard Hadlee was on a flying visit to Sri Lanka on Friday, June 17th. He was here in his capacity as Patron of the Cricket Live Foundation. He met with Founder Merrill J. Fernando at the Dilmah head office in Peliyagoda where he was taken through the intricacies of traditional tea making by the Founder.

The first round of the Dilmah National Blind Cricket tournament which commenced in April has been completed, with four teams already through to the quarter finals. The final four teams will be selected in matches to be held next week in Colombo.

Twelve physically-disabled entrepreneurs were given grants by the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation, at a ceremony held at the Colombo Friends In Need (CFINS) head office recently.

The 43rd Alumni of the Dilmah School of Tea (SOT) visited the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation to spend time with the MJF kids and to see the charitable work that goes on there.

The Dilmah National Blind Cricket tournament commenced on Saturday, April 30th. The Blind Cricket tournament consists of a number of elimination matches played over the months of May and June...

Dilmah Tea is highlighted as a brand with a conscience in the new publication by the Medinge Group, "Brands with a Conscience" . In 2005 Dilmah was the proud recipient of the prestigious award by the Medinge Group the "2005 Top Brand with a Conscience".

The Asirimath Iskole, the “School of Inspiration” in the rural area of Koul Ara, was declared open on Saturday, March 26th, 2016, by Settlor of the MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF), Merrill. J. Fernando.

The Sri Lanka National Blind Cricket team is currently preparing for a Pakistan tour, in which they will be playing three T-20 and three one day matches from April 3rd to 10th. The team received their official uniforms sponsored by Dilmah today.

To encourage the active participation of the fathers of the MJF Kids, the MJF Charitable Foundation organized a Father's Day cricket tournament held on Tuesday, 22nd of March. The event was facilitated by the Social Alliance for Love and Trust (SALT) the youth group that successfully conducted the Teen Camp at the Foundation in February.

Come join the MJF Centre in Moratuwa when they celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, on Saturday 19th March. The day promises to be an interesting one for all with a number of events including a variety of activities organized to celebrate these special individuals.

"Pledging for Parity!" was the theme of International Women's Day 2016, and the MJF Centre Moratuwa held a special four day program in keeping with this theme. Empowering women with dignity was the purpose of the MJF Women's Development Program (WDP) which on a daily basis enables women to uplift their skills and talents and to reach their fullest potential.

The Moratuwa MJF Kids Talent Show held on the 27th of March 2016, was an enchanting and inspiring evening as the kids showcased their aesthetic talents to the audience, alongside students from the Rainbow Centre for special needs.

October 2015, Colombo : The AIDEX (Aid to the Ex-Abled) Annual Sports Festival, sponsored by Dilmah and the MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF), was held recently in its consecutive 19th year at Wesley College Grounds in Colombo.

Sunanda Upananda Vidyalaya (SUV) is one of the two schools supported by the Cricket Live programme and the MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF).

“I never thought this dream a possibility, but I worked hard and achieved it somehow,” says a smiling Akbo Manula Jayawardana, after placing first in both the 200m and 100m running events at the Special Olympics World Games 2015 held in Los Angeles this year.

The MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) has commenced yet another initiative aimed at providing children from underprivileged and disadvantaged backgrounds with the possibility of empowerment through education.

Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando received the Business for Peace Award on the 6th of May 2015, in Oslo's most famous building, the City Hall, where the Nobel Prize is awarded annually.

As of 30th March 2015, all 49 families who were living in temporary accommodation on Dunkeld estate have completed receiving their allotment of permanent housing built by the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation (MJF CF) since Dilmah acquired full ownership of the property.

“I cannot express what it feels to hold the keys to our own home,” said Jasmine Radhakrishnan (27), born and bred on Dunkeld Estate. “This new house is a dream come true and we can now plan for a better future with our children.”

Over 600,000 people in Sri Lanka are visually impaired, while 200,000 persons are estimated to be blind. Of the foremost challenges blind people face in education, the lack of books in Braille is critical, whilst the difficulty in accessing them and comparatively high cost of purchase are drawbacks.

A week long cricket tournament, the Cricket Live Premier League (CLPL), has just concluded at the De Zoysa Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

The children of MJF Charitable Foundation held its annual concert on 12 December 2014, bringing together all children for an evening of artistic and creative expression.

Fernando though in his eighties, is the Chairman of the global leading tea brand and still has much enthusiasm for social and humanitarian activities.

Over 4,500 school children from 28 schools in the Batticaloa West Education zone in Vavunativu DS Division received a set of school uniforms from the MJF Charitable Foundation at the Munaikadu Tamil MV school.

The MJF Charitable Foundation recently made its fifth round of Social Entrepreneur Programme (SEP) funding grants targeting war-affected families in the East.

Life through Cricket'- a joint initiative between the MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) and Cricket Live Foundation (CLF), New Zealand held a cricket coaching program in Moratuwa (03 Nov.) for 24 underprivileged children and their coaches.

Harshini Kumari Pathiraja, studying for the Advance Level in the Commerce stream, came all the way from Kurunegala to take part in 2014's AIDEX (Aid to the Ex-Abled) Sports Festival that was held in Colombo.

Cricket is more than just a sport to many Sri Lankans and has become a platform for unity and equality since Sri Lanka made its international debut in the 1975 inaugural Cricket World Cup.

“Cricket is my favourite sport and I’m so happy that the Life through Cricket programme is giving me a chance to play this match with all my friends. We are learning to be a team and have lots of fun.

The MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) together with Cricket Live Foundation jointly initiated the Life through Cricket programme in January 2014.

Over 650 staff members of Dilmah Tea employed at the Peliyagoda factory premises attended a Sexual Reproductive Health and Family Planning workshop on 7 July 2014.

It was day of celebration and commemoration that saw the 4th batch of students from the Curtiss Centre for Design graduate at a special Certificates Awarding Ceremony held at the MJF Centre in Moratuwa on 28 June 2014.

‘Life through Cricket’ – a collaborative programme between the MJF Charitable Foundation and Cricket Live New Zealand has completed the first three months with the opening of the refurbished outdoor practice nets at the De Zoysa stadium at Moratuwa on 7 March 2014.

Dilmah Founder, Merrill J. Fernando laid the foundation stone to a new Vocational Training Centre aimed at training disadvantaged youth in culinary and hospitality.

The MJF Sithijaya Centre for the differently-abled in Ambalantota re-commenced its operations on 12 February after a temporary closure of the centre since June 2012.

Members of the Women’s Development Programme of the MJF Charitable Foundation join hands in celebrating International Women’s Day 2014.

The Rainbow Centre at the MJF Kids Centre in Moratuwa celebrates two years of service this February. The centre provides a holistic development programme for students with special needs whose age ranges from as little as eight months to 35 years of age.

Deserving children from former conflict areas receive uniforms through the MJF Charitable Foundation.

The MJF Sithijaya Centre in Ambalantota recommenced its operational activities with a new management team headed by the Divisional Secretary Ambalantota on 12 February 2014.

Two computer centres, created exclusively for the children of the plantation community, were formally handed over to Craighead and Imboolpitiya Estates of the Kahawatte Plantations...

Carlebeck Tami Vidyalaya will commemorate its 75th anniversary this year. It has a student population of 540 with 23 teachers.

The conflict which lasted for nearly three decades saw many people losing their limbs to land mines. The AIDEX (Aid to the Ex-Abled) Annual Sports Festival, now in its 18th year...

On 29th December 2012, Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando's MJF Charitable Foundation, extended its women's empowerment programme to Batticaloa in Eastern Sri Lanka.

Thirty four (34) persons were given the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity through the ‘Reform & Integrate’ initiative of the MJF Charitable Foundation during a ceremony held at the Colombo Welikada Prison on March 2.

The 6th annual Merrill J. Fernando Challenge Trophy for Excellence in Blind Cricket concluded at the Wesley College Grounds recently.

A thousand pairs of new shoes were distributed amongst children in the MJF Kids Programme recently. The MJF Charitable Foundation worked with Unity Brands Group...

The MJF Charitable Foundation worked with Helpage Sri Lanka to carry out an eye clinic at the Imboolpitiya Estate on March 23 and 24.

MJF Kids and their parents joined the Settlor of the MJF Charitable Foundation Merrill J. Fernando and the extended Dilmah family to celebrate their differences on World Down Syndrome Day at the MJF Centre Moratuwa on 16th March 2013.

The MJF Kids were treated to a special ‘Country Roads’ performance last evening at the Moratuwa MJF Centre.

A team of doctors and other medical staff from AuSLMAT (Australia Sri Lanka Medical Assistance Team) were in Sri Lanka recently to carry out a series of medical camps across the country.

The first crop of pineapples from the Orange and Pineapple project in Pahalalanda Ampara was handed over to Settlor of the MJF Charitable Foundation, Merrill J. Fernando in June this year.

The MJF Charitable Foundation’s Small Entrepreneur Programme (SEP) recently granted 14 rehabilitated former LTTE carders housed at the Sinhapura Camp...

World Down Syndrome Day brought happiness to the children of Diri Daru Piyasa at the MJF Foundation Centre in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

The MJF Charitable Foundation celebrated the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day in a unique manner this year by awarding livelihood support to 100 war affected women in the North of Sri Lanka.

The MJF Kids programme at the MJF Centre in Moratuwa formally commenced in February 2011. The MJF Kids Moratuwa consists of children who live in the vicinity who are from urban, slum areas.

The MJF Charitable Foundation officially launched the orange growing project in Pahalalanda in the Ampara district on the 26th of February 2011.

AIDEX 2010 (Aid to the Ex-Abled) Annual Sports Festival was held on the 10th of October 2010 at the Colombo Municipal Grounds.

Sixty eight children who are part of the MJF Kids Programme in Peliyagoda, Maligawatte, Moratuwa, Pallansena and Siyambalanduwa attended a Leadership camp organized by the MJF Charitable Foundation.

On the 12th of September, 2010 the MJF Kids in Sri Lanka got the unique opportunity of communicating with the children of the Rays of Home orphanage in Russia through video conferencing via Skype.

The MJF Charitable Foundation with the support of Gourmet Foods, Poland helps nearly 200 children a year in the Siyambalanduwa region.

In 2007, Dharmadasa and Sumanawathie, his wife, were the proud but exploited owners of a small, mud walled ‘factory’ in which they produced pappadam, the crispy accompaniment to rice & curry that is popular in Sri Lanka.

Dilmah Founder and MJF Foundation Settlor Merrill J. Fernando last week declared open the 71st MJF Foundation supported Child Development Centre (CDC) in the Easdale Division of Somerset Estate.

The MJF Foundation’s Small Entrepreneur Programme (SEP) has empowered underprivileged people in the most remote parts of Sri Lanka.

The remote and beautiful province of Moneragala is Sri Lanka’s poorest. In 2007 the MJF Foundation initiated its ‘Local Heroes’ initiative which was designed to build on the success of the Small Entrepreneur Programme...

Traditional Sri Lankan New Year was never this good for the men and women of isolated Koul Ara, a tiny village in Southern Sri Lanka .

International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s and is the global day connecting all women around the world inspiring them to achieve their full potential.

The MJF Charitable Foundation, that has aimed to uplift the lives of underprivileged children through initiatives that provide them the tools to shape their future, has been actively involved in the caring and educational instruction of plantation children.

Pahan Tharuwa, meaning Ray of Hope in Sinhala is the annual Day of Joy that the MJF Foundation has offered underprivileged children since 2001.

Rural communities in Sri Lanka face tremendous challenges as a result of changes in traditional social and economic structures.

In co-operation with the Sri Lanka Government and UN Habitat, the MJF Charitable Foundation is facilitating the largest post tsunami relocation project in Sri Lanka.

On Dilmah Tea Gardens, workers and their families benefit from hospitals and medical facilities provided or enhanced by the Foundation.

Lunama , Hambantota 26th November 2005 : Eleven months to the day after the December 26th tsunami, the BBC Southern Counties Radio (SCR) tsunami relief programme recorded another milestone...

The MJF Foundation on Friday 23rd October formally handed over equipment designed to significantly enhance the capability of the HelpAge Sri Lanka free eye clinic in Colombo.

Pahan Tharuwa, meaning in Sinhala ‘Ray of Hope’ is an annual MJF Foundation event which brings children from distant parts of Sri Lanka together, for a ‘day of joy’.