Conversations Over a Cuppa

Dilmah Tea CEO Dilhan C. Fernando chats with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves to give a business perspective on what's next for the island nation, following receiving the much-awaited IMF Bailout.

Founded in 1985, Dilmah Tea has grown from a household name in Sri Lanka to an international icon of Ceylonese tea available in over 100 countries.

But now as Sri Lanka's economy crashes and global supply chains issues continue to plague the world, how will Dilmah continue its operations?

And what role can it play in rebuilding Sri Lanka's economy moving forward? We speak to CEO Dilhan Fernando to get his thoughts.

Dilhan chats with Devaka Weerakoon Ph.D, Senior Professor of Zoology at Colombo University on why a forest is greater than its trees. The conversation is supported by images and examples from the eminent Professor Weerakoon’s experience in Sri Lanka on the value of forests for human welfare and survival and concludes with an exploration of what life would be without forests.

Join Author of The Good Country Equation and Founder of the Good Country Index, Simon Anholt, and Tea Grower & Dilmah CEO, Dilhan C. Fernando in conversation about culture, the priority of education, government systems, social engineering, microscopic view VS telescopic view, and collaboration over competition for the sake of humanity. Listen to this powerful, thought-provoking podcast here.

In this Chat Over a Cuppa, Dilhan C. Fernando has an insightful discussion with IUCN Director of Global Ecosystem Management Programme, Dr. Radhika Murti. Listen in as Dr. Murti answers pressing issues such as how nature can help deliver solutions for water scarcity and mitigate the damaging impact of natural disasters.

Tea grower and Dilmah CEO, Dilhan C. Fernando chats with Former Cricketer of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and Chairman of the National Sports Council Mahela Jayawardene. Find out what’s behind Mahela’s success and his advice to the younger generation. All this and more on this short podcast.
 

Tea grower and Dilmah CEO, Dilhan C. Fernando, in conversation with former Captain of Sri Lanka’s National Cricket Team, and President of the MCC, Kumar Sangakkara on success, humility and more.

In this Over a Cuppa podcast, father and son sit down to talk about the farmer, the trader, and the inception of Dilmah Tea. Listen as Mr. Dilmah, Merrill J. Fernando, tells the world why he started it all, how he realised his dreams, and how his passion drove him to change the world of tea and uplift the lives of the farmers, in conversation with his son, Dilhan C. Fernando.

You’re listening to Over a Cuppa with The World’s Most Experienced Teamaker – Part 1

Listen as Merrill J. Fernando talks about how the philosophy of business being a matter of human service came to be. In conversation ‘Over a Cuppa’ with his son, Dilhan C. Fernando, Mr. Dilmah answers the question of how he feels to have impacted the lives of thousands of people through his MJF Charitable Foundation’s centres and how his business has become meaningful as its success is being shared.

You’re listening to Over a Cuppa with The World’s Most Experienced Teamaker – Part 2

You’re listening to Over a Cuppa with The World’s Most Experienced Teamaker – Part 3

In this chat ‘Over a Cuppa’, the World’s Most Experienced Teamaker, Merrill J. Fernando, shares his thoughts with his son (and Dilmah CEO), Dilhan C. Fernando, about the next 25 years for the world’s only producer owned brand - Dilmah. His aim is for Dilmah to be a globally respected brand for its quality and its philosophy of caring for a neighbour and sharing with the poor.

You’re listening to Over a Cuppa with The World’s Most Experienced Teamaker – Part 4

You’re listening to Over a Cuppa with The World’s Most Experienced Teamaker – Part 5