Vital shift in global positioning of Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon

Dilmah Tea chairman and CEO Dilhan C. Fernando launched the Genesis Tea & Cinnamon Experience at the historic Genesis facility in Colombo recently, the same location where his father, Merrill J. Fernando, began producing Dilmah Tea four decades ago.

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

The launch, attended by tourism stakeholders, chefs and sustainability advocates, marked a significant shift in how Sri Lanka positions its heritage products—Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon—for global recognition.

Addressing the gathering, Dilhan Fernando said that Genesis holds deep symbolic and practical importance for the company. Not only is it the birthplace of the Dilmah brand, but it is also now the site of a rebirth—an experiential space dedicated to showcasing the value of Sri Lanka's most iconic exports. He said Genesis has been aligned with his father's founding vision of empowering the tea industry and giving back to the country through meaningful social enterprise.

Fernando pointed out that his father was the first tea grower in any producing country to bring single-origin, value-added tea directly to the global market. This move ensured that the financial benefits of the product remained within Sri Lanka, supporting workers and communities. Today, Dilmah's philosophy continues to fund education, biodiversity restoration and support for differently abled youth across the country.