Kamahl opens up about his stormy relationship with Dilmah tea founder Merrill J Fernando after he starred in the brand’s first-ever Australian advert – when the tea king died aged 93

TV legend and musician Kamahl has opened up about his tempestuous relationship with Dilmah Tea founder Merrill J Fernando.

Kamahl, 88, expressed his condolences when Daily Mail Australia broke the news that Mr Fernando, 93, died surrounded by his family in Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Kamahl met Mr Fernando in 1988 when the couple were filming the first TV commercial for Dilmah, which featured the singer traveling to Sri Lanka and drinking the now iconic blend of tea.

Kamahl said, “How can I put it without putting my foot in it… I’m really, really sorry to hear that.”

“We had a business relationship and it could have been a lot better.”

Kamahl met Merrill Fernando in 1988 when the couple were filming the first TV commercial for Dilmah, which featured the singer traveling around Sri Lanka and drinking the iconic tea

“The story goes back to 1988 – and I don’t know if that’s hearsay – but I heard Merrill wanted to do the commercial with John Farnham.”

“I don’t know who, but someone said: ‘I don’t like Kamahl and I don’t like tea, but Kamahl and tea go together like a horse and a carriage.’

“So I was given the task of doing the commercial.”

After an advert dispute between Kamahl and Mr Fernando over the use of the advert, the TV legend parted ways with the tea brand before reuniting 25 years later.

“It got a little ugly and things weren’t the same after that,” Kamahl said. “Our relationship waxed and waned.

“We broke off the relationship, although for the 25th anniversary I did everything I could to help them.”

“I would have liked to have worked more closely with him, to put it that way.”

“As he has passed away, I would like to offer my condolences. Maybe it’s not time to talk about what could have been.

“I think it’s best to just say I’m very sorry to hear that.” And I was grateful for the opportunity to work with him and his family.”

After some misunderstandings, Kamahl ended their relationship before returning to help the tea brand with its 25th anniversary celebrations

Merrill J Fernando was surrounded by his sons and grandchildren as he died in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Thursday.

He is known across Australia and New Zealand for his iconic slogan ‘Do try it’.

The tea company announced Mr Fernando’s death, saying his “greatness lies in his invincible faith, integrity and love for tea and family”.

“With dedication and urgency, he pursued his desire for integrity and quality with humility and kindness,” the company said.

Merrill J Fernando was surrounded by his family when he passed away on Thursday. Above, in one of the company’s famous promotional photos

The founder helped develop the brand’s first single origin tea in 1988 and worked on it until he was 91.

Mr. Fernando also established the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation, which supports youth, entrepreneurs, community organizations, inmates and war widows in Sri Lanka.

His son, Malik J Fernando, paid a heartfelt tribute to his father on LinkedIn.

“He was an outstanding figure in our lives; “We never thought he would leave us,” he wrote.

“He is surely in the arms of the Lord today.” My brother and I, and our children, pledge to strengthen his legacy and advance his mission. RIP darling Thathie (father).’

The founder helped develop the brand’s first single origin tea in 1988 and worked until he was 91 (pictured Dilhan Fernando and his father Merrill Fernando).

Dilmah’s dominance in Australian supermarkets

The tea became a staple in Australia in 1985 when Dilmah landed his first deal with Coles.

Australia was the first country where the Sri Lankan brand expanded with packaged tea – rather than bulk sales – which is now sold in 104 countries around the world.

While Dilmah remains the 10th largest tea brand in the world, it hasn’t made a dime in Australia since 2009.

Chief Executive Dilhan Fernando previously told Daily Mail Australia that Dilmah is continuing to operate in Australia because of the “gratitude” the company owes to the country.

The tea became a staple in Australia in 1985 when Dilmah landed his first deal with Coles

“We have a very sentimental connection to Australia because my father (Merrill) founded Dilmah there,” he said.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the Australian consumer That’s why we pursued what appeared to be a foolish decision to remain in office.”

Dilhan said Dilmah has been losing money in Australia for so long because they refuse to lower quality to give the big discounts retailers are expecting.

“You can walk into any store and find that you’re being lured in with a 50 or 40 percent discount.” But if you’re focused on quality, that’s really not a possibility,” he said.

“It’s not possible, because at the end of the day, every price reduction benefits either workers or the environment.”

“And when you refuse to compromise, as my father insists that we stick to our principles, it’s very difficult in this current environment.”

Dilmah tea also holds a special place in the heart of kiwis.

In 2019, Mr. Fernando received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Massey University, New Zealand.

“When I brought Dilmah to New Zealand, kiwis made my tea a cup of kindness,” he said at the time.

“The Chalice of Kindness has strengthened the philosophy I have extended to my business and made my business a human service.”

The History of Dilmah Tea in Australia

Dilmah has been a staple in Australian kitchens since it was first sold here in Coles in 1985.

Company founder Merrill Fernando had supplied tea in bulk to many Australian importers and said it was a logical extension to pack it itself.

Dilmah tea (pictured) has been a staple in Australian kitchens since 1985

Originally, the company did this for private label teas, such as supermarket private labels.

But then he came up with the idea of ​​offering his own brand, which he named after his sons Dilhan – today’s managing director – and Malik Dilmah.

“It wasn’t easy because back then it wasn’t common for a grower to bring their produce directly to market, so they had a very challenging time,” said Dilhan.

“But in September 1985, by the grace of God and the response of Australian consumers to locally picked and packaged tea that is not blended, Dilmah was born in Australia and has traveled from there to nearly 100 countries.

“Obviously we’re not big, we’re niche and people say we’re in the top 10 in the world, but we maintain our quality and we’re still a specialty tea in most markets.”

Dilmah’s success has enabled the company to build many schools and two hospitals in Sri Lanka.