I started my tea business with a very nominal capital equivalent to about $2500 in 1950. I obtained a loan for this amount from my father and I repaid it within a year. To reach the position I am in today, I had to work very hard, travel extensively, take risks and go through some serious scandals. I faced situations which made me stronger and gave me the courage and strength to keep moving and to never yield. I remember many instances of despair and anguish when the country became sick with trade union activities, strikes, work stoppages and situations which seriously damaged our economy and brought this country to the brink of bankruptcy. 

We had very little food, we had no comfortable or basic requirements for good quality of life even one had the money. We had to stand in queues for hours and hours to buy bread, rice and sugar. We could not buy medicine, good food... we could buy nothing virtually, all in the name of socialism. 

'Dilmah' was coined from the names of my two children, Dilhan and Malik. I did so to demonstrate that Dilmah is my third child, and that would earn the respect of consumers. It’s spelt out honesty and integrity of my tea and my purpose. My entrepreneurial effort was to establish the noble principle of farmers taking their produce to consumers directly. I thought that if I was successful, I would pave the way to eliminate poverty in the tea, coffee and cocoa producing countries initially. Value addition by packaging and branding is the only segment of the tea industry which is profitable. Sadly, those profits are made by foreign traders in rich nations. That is why our farmers and  their workers remain poor.

After my training in the plantations I went to Mincing Lane, London, which is the center of world for tea. There, I found that most of the time they mixed tea from other countries with a little bit of Ceylon tea and marketed them as Ceylon tea. I realised that Ceylon tea industry will not survive for long, as it is the finest in the world and therefore it is expensive, but that it also had a big future. Hence, I dreamt of building my own brand as a young man. I thought that if I had my own brand, I will market the best in the world with the finest quality, and share my earnings with the poor and the disabled. So in 1988 I launched my brand. That was one the best decisions and moments.

Dilmah channels a significant share of its profits into the MJF Foundation, whose primary charter is that of alleviating poverty, and helping the underprivileged, the sick and the disabled. This decision was inspired by my conviction that people – our employees and customers worldwide – have assisted in the growth of our family business. It is my duty to return some of these earnings to those communities that support us. It is my firm commitment to donate 10% of the profits of every single company in the MJF Group to the MJF Charitable Foundation.

A generous portion of my personal earnings are also donated to the Foundation. I made it my duty to extend a helping hand to my employees and to the community. This is my way of practising corporate responsibility and social justice. Dilhan heads the Foundation activity with a dedicated team of executives, who enjoy their work in bringing hope and comfort to the underprivileged. You can read more information on the work of the MJF Foundation on its website www.mjffoundation.org.

We also offer education and other benefits to plantation workers. The scholarships offered by the MJF Charitable Foundation have provided education rights through university to tea pickers' children who would otherwise never sighted a university. Today, there are doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers and several other professionals who were destined to be the next generation of tea pickers but now enjoy the good things in life.

Back when I had 18 workers, I was true to them. When I had about two three hundred workers then, I was also true to them. I frequently go to the factory and talk to my workers. When I see somebody with bandages, I ask what is wrong with them and send them to hospital in my private vehicle. Coming from humble beginnings, I treat all my employees alike despite their level. I look after them as far as and as better as I can.

“I shall pass this way but once therefore, any good that I may do or any kindness that I may show, let me do so now for I shall not pass this way again”. 

Success is not about money; it's about achievement, service to my staff, my country and to those who need. Entrepreneurs keep working as their passion continues to drive them towards success. As I look back from my humble beginnings, I thank God for what I have achieved. Today, what is more important is to maintain the integrity, promise and strategy of the brand and to share my success with those who need my support. Entrepreneurs and businessmen must remember that their "creation" is not merely for their own individual success but, for their families, their workers and for society at large. Sharing my success through my Foundation with those who need help and support today is my joy.

My favourite tea is Dilmah English Breakfast tea. In selecting our Dilmah Breakfast Tea I went back to the original Breakfast Tea which was a favourite of the pioneer planters. A bright, bold and medium strength tea from the Dimbula region. I enjoy my tea with biscuits, and take it without sugar or milk.