At a young age of eighteen Anselm Perera began his career with the tea industry initially as a Tea taster for Brooke Bond. He moved on to being the Tea Director at Shaw Wallace and Hedges after a period of ten years at Brooke Bond, where he gained insight and experience in the field. Deciding to venture out on his own, adopting the mirror image of his name, Anselm, he founded ‘Mlesna’ Tea Company in 1983.. His initial blend, Rich Brew, foreshadowed his significant contributions to the world of tea.He introduced the concept of value addition through novel concepts including specialty tea gift shops, to Sri Lanka. Mlesna has a product range catering to all tastes, ages, and nationalities, be it tea bags or loose leaf, black teas, green teas or special teas, attractive and colourful gift packs with a product list exceeding 3500 items to suit the mood and taste of every individual while remaining true to its promise “Naturally the Best.” For over three decades, Anselm Perera’s iconic giftware and high-quality tea have symbolized class and sophistication, successfully standing out amid numerous competitors. His wealth of knowledge and experience through fifty five years in the tea industry reinforces his concern for the future of the industry and to safeguard this national trade for generations to come. He recognized as one of the pioneers of the Ceylon Tea industry and is the incumbent Chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders Association.

With a mission in Tea that was birthed from being a tea taster in 1950, Merrill Fernando (6th May 1930 – 20th July 2023) embarked on a journey with a vision to offer consumers the finest tea on earth and to do so with ethics and integrity. In 1950 he was among the first Sri Lankans to learn the skill of tea tasting. He began his career as a Tea Assistant at A.F Jones & Co in 1954 and was appointed Managing Director of the Company in 1958. Merrill Fernando resigned from A F Jones in 1962 and started Ceylon Tea Services Company, establishing Merrill J Fernando Company to export bulk tea to many countries across the globe. He launched his own brand ‘Dilmah’ in 1985. Unlike the multi origin blends that monopolize the market, Dilmah Tea Company is the first producer owned Tea brand, and offers Tea ‘picked, perfected and packed’ at origin. Despite overwhelming challenges, in pursuit of his dream of quality, ethics & sustainability in tea, Merrill Fernando devoted seventy plus years of his life with the support of his two sons, to make their family business a matter of service, combining taste, goodness and purpose. In addition to establishing the world-renowned tea brand ‘Dilmah’, he founded the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation in 2002, one that is dedicated to supporting various initiatives in Sri Lanka, focusing on youth development, first-time entrepreneurs, community organizations, special needs individuals, and war widows. He wanted his passion for tea to benefit not only customers and consumers but workers and marginalized people in the environment and community as well. He served as the CEO of Dilmah until 2019, stepping down at the age of 91 to be succeeded by his son Dilhan Fernando.

Internationally renowned as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost exporters of high-quality Ceylon Tea, Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd is recognized globally as Sri Lanka’s largest tea exporter for fourteen consecutive years since 1992. Abbas and Inayet Akbarally, two brothers founded the Company Akbar Brothers in 1969. Presently Tyeab Akbarally, the son of Abbas Akbarally is the Managing Director of Akbar Tea. Founded on the rich legacy of Ceylon tea cultivation, the family successfully maintains the emphasis on product quality based on exhaustive knowledge and experience of tea and the tea industry. To this day, every consignment of Akbar tea is personally approved by a family member before it is shipped. Their range of Tea exports include Tea Packets, Tea Bags, Tea in Bulk, Ceylon Black Tea, Ceylon Green Tea, Iced Tea, Herbal Tea, Gift Tea Collection. Akbar Brothers Limited was the first ever Sri Lankan tea company to be awarded the internationally recognized ISO 9001 and HACCP quality certificates.

Recognized as a pioneer in the Tea Industry in Sri Lanka, Micheal De Zoysa (30 th September 1946 – 29 th September 2019) was an inspiring and knowledgeable key personality in the field. His passion and zeal in promoting Tea kept him actively associated with the industry even unto his demise. Upon completing his school career he joined Lipton, in 1966, as a trainee Executive, and retired, following an outstanding career, in the year 2000, as Managing Director of Unilever International Tea Division – Lipton/Brooke Bond. After Michael De Zoysa’s retirement, he remained actively involved in the tea industry as a mentor and consultant to numerous Tea- related events. He played a very significant role as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for nearly all the Colombo International Tea Conventions, which are recognized globally as the leading forum on tea. These conventions, conducted by the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association, have been held every four years since 1992, with the most recent one in 2017 celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Ceylon Tea. He had the unique distinction of having held the office of Chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association for 14 tenures considerably more than any other Chairman in the history of the Association, during the period from 1983 to 1999. Known for his integrity, he was a buyer who never failed to pay a fair price for quality, whilst fostering trust and respect among producers. His contributions not only enhanced the trading environment but also supported the overall growth of the Tea industry in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Niraj De Mel is a seasoned professional with 48 years of experience in Sri Lanka’s tea industry. He was appointed the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board from June 2022 to September 2024, (his second appointment to a position that he previously held in 2004), Prior to this appointment he also held key roles as a taster, broker, exporter, and educator, and served as chairman of the Tea Exporter’s Association and Colombo Brokers Association, as well as vice chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders Association. As the founder and director of The Mel’s Tea Academy, he continues to mentor future leaders in the tea sector, earning a prominent reputation for his leadership and contributions.

De Mel’s work at the academy reflects his deep commitment to the tea industry, not only as a business but as an integral part of Sri Lanka’s heritage and economy. His influence extends far beyond his own accomplishments, helping to ensure that the tea sector remains vibrant, innovative, and competitive on the world stage.

Through structured training programs at the Mel’s Tea Academy, hands-on experiences, and in- depth lessons on the tea value chain, De Mel ensures that the next generation of tea experts is well-prepared to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving market. Mr. De Mel’s mentorship goes beyond technical skills, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and Sri Lanka’s reputation for high-quality tea. He fosters a culture of creativity, leadership, and excellence, ensuring the future success and global prominence of Sri Lanka’s tea industry by nurturing young talent and supporting its long-term growth and adaptability.

Ken Balendra’s career is a testament to his exceptional leadership and vision in the business world, especially in the context of Sri Lanka’s evolving corporate landscape. He began his professional journey in 1963, taking on the role of a planter at Finlays, a well-established independent tea and horticultural product trading company. This early experience gave him a deep understanding of the tea industry, which would become a key part of his later success.

In 1969, Balendra joined John Keells Holdings (then John Keell Thompson White Ltd), a tea- focused company, where his expertise led to his appointment as a director in 1974. His leadership was further recognized in 1990 when he became the first Sri Lankan chairman of the company. During his tenure until 2000, he played a key role in transforming John Keells Holdings from a colonial-era tea broking house into Sri Lanka’s largest and most diversified conglomerate.

Under Mr. Balendra’s leadership, John Keells Holdings experienced significant growth and diversification, expanding from its tea industry roots into sectors like hospitality, retail, real estate, and financial services. This strategic expansion helped the company navigate global market changes and become a dominant force in Sri Lanka’s economy. Mr. Balendra was recognized as a dynamic business leader, who played a key role in transforming Sri Lanka from an economy reliant on agriculture-based exports into a diversified, multi-sector economy.

Through visionary leadership and strategic foresight, he helped steer the country’s corporate landscape toward growth in various industries, moving beyond traditional agricultural exports and paving the way for a more modern and varied economic structure. His contributions were instrumental in shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s business environment.

Mr. Chrisantha Perera is a distinguished figure in Sri Lanka’s tea industry, with over 60 years of invaluable experience. Having retired as the Chairman/CEO of Forbes and Walker after an impressive 44-year tenure with the company, Mr. Perera has had a lasting impact on the sector. His leadership and expertise in the tea industry have earned him numerous prestigious positions, including serving as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to various industry associations and bodies. His involvement in high- level decision-making bodies, such as the Sri Lanka Tea Board, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, has positioned him as a central figure in guiding both policy and strategy for the sector.

Through these roles, Mr. Perera has contributed significantly to the formulation of policies that have not only supported the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s tea plantations but also promoted fair and competitive practices within the industry. His expertise has been pivotal in navigating regulatory changes and ensuring the industry’s ability to thrive in a rapidly evolving global market. Mr. Perera’s influence has helped drive initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Sri Lankan tea, enhancing productivity, and adopting modern technologies, which have contributed to maintaining the country’s position as one of the world’s leading tea producers.

Mr. Perera has been a strong advocate for sustainable farming, labor welfare, and environmental responsibility in Sri Lanka’s tea sector. His holistic approach, which balances economic, environmental, and social factors, has made him a respected leader in shaping the industry’s future. His career reflects a deep commitment to the sector’s long-term success, with his strategic guidance continuing to impact the industry today.