Business
Merrill J. Fernando, champion of ‘Business for Peace’
With profound sadness, the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICC Sri Lanka) mourns the passing of Merrill J. Fernando, the visionary founder of Dilmah Tea, who has left an indelible mark on the tea industry and the business world. Merrill J. Fernando was an advocate for sustainable business practices. His commitment to promoting peace through business was recognised in 2015 when he received the Business for Peace Award from the Oslo-based Business for Peace Foundation, ICC Sri Lanka says in a press release.
The release adds: ‘Merrill J. Fernando’s journey began with a vision to offer the world the finest tea, crafted with passion and integrity. With his unwavering dedication to quality and sustainability, he built Dilmah Tea into a globally renowned brand that stood for excellence, ethics, and fairness. He firmly believed in the power of business to foster understanding and harmony among communities. His tireless efforts to promote ethical business practices and sustainable development made him a role model for entrepreneurs around the globe’.
‘The 2015 Business for Peace Award, conferred upon him by the esteemed Business for Peace Foundation, recognised Merrill J. Fernando’s outstanding contributions to society. His nomination by the ICC further underscored his significance as a transformative force in the business community, exemplifying the positive impact that responsible and compassionate entrepreneurship can have on the world.
‘Under the leadership of Mr Fenando, Dilmah Tea was selected as one of Sri Lanka’s Most Admired Companies by the ICC Sri Lanka, based on its financial and non-financial performance. The Dilmah founder was honoured as the ‘Most Admired Leader in Sri Lanka’. He was chosen for his passionate commitment to quality and integrity, and for making business a matter of human service. ICC Sri Lanka reflects on his life and legacy, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Dilmah Tea family. Merrill J. Fernando’s spirit of innovation, integrity, and dedication to making a positive difference will live on, continuing to inspire generations to come.’
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
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