Pursuant to the demise of MJF Holdings Founder and Chairman Merrill J. Fernando, his two sons, Malik J. Fernando and Dilhan C. Fernando, in a statement, wished to express their deep appreciation to the overwhelming number of people who joined them in their grief and in laying their beloved father to rest. They reaffirmed their commitment to building on the formidable legacy that Merrill J. Fernando built in the tea and leisure industries with kindness to people and nature.

Furthermore, in compliance with the wishes of Merrill J. Fernando, Malik J. Fernando and Dilhan C. Fernando have been appointed Co-Chairs of MJF Holdings Ltd. 

Fernando’s sons have pledged to continue and expand the impact of the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation, which were established by Merrill J. Fernando to fulfil his commitment to making business a human service.

Dilhan C. Fernando has been appointed Chairman of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC and Kahawatte Plantations PLC, while Malik J. Fernando has been appointed Chairman of MJF Leisure (Pvt.) Ltd., the leisure arm of the group and Chairman of Forbes & Walker (Pvt.) Ltd.

MJF Holding is a conglomerate with diversified business interests, covering the entire value chain in the tea industry from growing, manufacturing, packaging and exporting value-added tea under the Dilmah brand name, and Resplendent Ceylon hotels and resorts, and real estate investment, etc.