While Mr Fernando’s contribution and devotion to building a global tea brand has been highlighted by a multitude of tributes, his contribution to hospitality has been remarkable in so many ways. Along with his family, Dilmah created Ceylon Tea Trails, and 18 years later, the resort reached a pinnacle of being listed on the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List. Similarly, his faith in Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge have demonstrated his confidence in the growth of the tourism industry. We are all incredibly proud to have been part of that journey.
It is the ultimate test of innovative efforts and labours – will those giving eye and ear to their offerings, embrace them for further development so that the world would be Sri Lanka’s oyster for the humble jackfruit and gotukola (pennywort) and the hardly-noticed seaweed?
This World Oceans Day, Resplendent Ceylon has chosen to shine the light on the depleting health of our oceans as a result of overconsumption and destructive fishing practices. This year, our resorts are highlighting plant-based culinary fare using hyperlocal and homegrown ingredients that promise to blur the lines of what constitutes as seafood.
Restoring Ecosystems | Dunkeld Model Montane Forest
Forests act as a nature-based solution for climate change which can contribute over one third of the climate change mitigation needed by 2030. Conserving and restoring forest landscapes is not only a cost-effective way to mitigate climate change, but it also means that many other benefits are provided to local communities and wider society.
Discover the Ten Tuskers Bar at Wild Coast Tented Lodge, that features handcrafted cocktails with hyperlocal ingredients. Sit alongside the pool, overlooking the deep blue Indian Ocean and allow yourself to journey across a tasting of...
Our ambition towards zero waste across our properties extends to our communities as well. We believe collaboration and partnerships are the way forward to achieving our goals. As such, Resplendent Ceylon’s Cape Weligama partnered...
Leopard and Biodiversity Research and Conservation in Norwood area
Leopard and Biodiversity Research and Conservation in the Norwood, Castlereigh and Bogawanthalawa Valley areas bordering Peak Wilderness Sanctuary Dunkeld Conservation Station, June 2017. Continued research being carried out by The...
Dilmah Conservation and Wild Coast Tented Lodge have finalised plans for a Leopard Research Centre of a global standard, with eminent trustees including Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya and Eric Wickremanayake, working with the likes of Wilderness...
Mindfulness in the Breathtaking Heartland of Ceylon Tea
It’s a couple of minutes past 6am. A glass of water, a splash of the same on my face and I quietly creep out my room towards the front terrace of Dunkeld Bungalow. There’s no one in sight as I pick my spot for the morning and spread ...
MJF Centre for Dignified Empowerment and Sustainable Development inaugurated in Kalkudah
Sept 2018 Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando was joined by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his sons Dilhan and Malik in inaugurating the MJF Centre for empowerment, inspiration, community development and climate change in...
Experiencing local cuisine is an integral part of visiting Wild Coast Tented Lodge. We’d like to think of each plate, every dish, the ingredients used as an expression, an indication of its connection to nature, our island home and the...
It’s tough to talk about the future of tourism and hospitality without taking into consideration the unprecedented times we live in. One of the hardest hit industries, the world’s lull in travel has given the opportunity for the...
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Count to four. Release. Whilst the challenging events of the past year have left us feeling untethered from our everyday routines, it is more apparent than ever that we as travellers, travel...
Sri Lanka is one of the most at-risk nations in terms of climate change. Our coastlines are at risk of inundation, our forests are at risk of climate-induced die-back, our endemic species are nearing extinction while global business...
RResplendent Ceylon has launched “SafeStay” a dedicated Health & Safety Guide for hotels, to monitor and manage stringent health and safety measures.Despite comprising low density resorts in isolated locations, Resplendent Ceylon...
The ocean and our livelihoods are inextricably linked; more so in our beautiful island home of Sri Lanka.While the impacts of climate change and unsustainable seafood harvesting threaten the livelihoods of local fisherman,Dilmah...
Sri Lanka’s pottery industry has survived for centuries; the first identified pot dating as far back to the year 900 BC and 1120 BC. Communities and villages of these times originated this craft by preparing earthenware which were then used for their day-to-day purposes including domestic utensils, religious activities and other household chores.
Tea Trails launches pioneering leopard conservation centre
Sri Lanka’s first tea resort partners with The Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust to introduce first-of-its kind conservation research and Tea Trails nature tours Oct 2016 – Budding naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts can...
Immersing yourself in nature can surprisingly be far more beneficial than we think. From the sounds to the sights, being outdoors and deepening our connection with the natural world can yield a wide variety of mental, physical as well...
The skies awaken as darkness turns to light. The morning rays of sun touch the tops and peek through the coconut trees, creating shadows of play. Across the paddy fields, the atmosphere shines golden and bright. The day has begun.
The story of tea in Sri Lanka began over two hundred years ago. British rule was very much under way and in the year 1824, the first tea plant was brought to Ceylon. It came from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes.
The Migration from Wildlife Tourism to Impactful Nature Tourism
Wild Coast Tented Lodge’s location on the border of Yala National Park affords guests a unique and rich wildlife experience. Yala, a national park of immense ecological and biodiversity that is highlighted by an abundance of endemic...
Our social impact is driven largely through the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation and our employee-led Good Works committees. As with conservation activities, 15% of pre-tax profit is contributed to the initiatives of the MJF Charitable Foundation.
Wild Coast Lodge redefines “safari” as a holistic wilderness experience. We are blessed with diverse habitat, ecology and scenery across the five sectors of the Yala National Park Complex and Bundala National Park, which is a Ramsar...
Resplendent Ceylon presents The Stories of Resplendent, a sensory chronicle of who we are, what drives us and our sources of inspiration. At the beating heart of the series is the island of Sri Lanka; it’s history, culture, people and...
Driving through the winding roads in Dickoya, you can easily miss the Warleigh Church. Located at a bend in the road, the Warleigh Church is an Anglican church built in 1878 by an Englishman called William Scot and overlooks the...
Wild Coast Lodge named in Escape.com’s list of “Six stunning resorts helping the Earth”
To mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this year, Escape.com put together a list of resorts around the globe who are pioneers in implementing sustainability practices that help protect our planet. Only six resorts made the list and...
Ground. Find your center. Breathe. Breathe again. And again. As yet another year comes to an end, it is apparent we’ve plenty of challenges that continue to compromise our ideal sense of living. A global pandemic. Climate change...
Relais & Châteaux and Slow Food, the global movement working to ensure that everyone has access to good, clean and fair food, came together once again to celebrate “Food for Change” in October. Nearly 200 Relais & Châteaux...
A life devoted to tea and kindness : Merrill J. Fernando
The unmistakable face of the Dilmah brand is Merrill J. Fernando, with his signature catchphrase, “do try it!”. He is the first tea grower to offer his tea to the world, picked, perfected, packed at source, and kindness was his cup of...
A stay at Ceylon Tea Trails would not be complete without a walk along our nature trails encompassing lush tea landscapes, local settlements and rich cultural heritage. Along these trails lie the hidden gems of flora and fauna, and if you’re lucky enough, a leopard pugmark or some fresh scat – the best indicator that we share these paths with the resident leopards of the Peak Ridge.
Dilmah Wildlife Conservation has supported the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe National Park since 2007 through many initiatives. Most recently, they sponsor ‘Baby Dilmah’, a calf found orphaned in Mattala by the Department of...
Bundala School Partnership Project – led by Wild Coast Lodge. Supported by MJF Kids.
Resplendent Ceylon has pledged to foster a rural school located close to Wild Coast Lodge as part of our community outreach projects by providing continued support on a long-term basis in terms of infrastructure, specialist training and...
Celebrating the 68th Anniversary of Relais & Châteaux
Their story began 68 years ago. Today, Relais & Châteaux is a name synonymous with impeccable standards of luxury, service and commitment towards creating authentic, enriching and novel experiences.Present across five continents and 64...
Resplendent Ceylon, the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT), Dilmah Tea and several other tea estates have embarked on a ground-breaking private sector collaboration to protect Leopards in the Sri Lankan tea highlands. The...
Deeply connected to Sri Lanka’s ancient history and folklore tales, the art of wooden mask making is a craft that has been passed down generation by generation. Masks are also a distinct element in traditional processions and festivals...
Spending time in a national park is a privilege. There’s something extraordinary and thrilling about spotting and being so close to wildlife. The animals roam free. They do not show up ‘on demand’. Nature moves at its own pace.
Creativity, Collaboration and Community Through Cuisine
If you’ve ever been inside a conventional kitchen of a hotel or resort, you’d understand the dynamics between the ingredients at hand and the chefs who exuberate control and creativity.
Dilmah Tea Founder Merrill J. Fernando has been capped as a Doctor of Science by Massey
In recognition of his strong leadership in ethical business within the food and beverage industry, our chairman and founder of globally renowned Dilmah Tea was capped as Doctor of Science by Massey University in New Zealand. “This...
Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus maximus), the largest of the Asian elephant sub-species are true ‘ecosystem engineers’ or keystone species, although comparatively smaller than their African counterparts. Keystone species like...
Empower Culinary & Hospitality School’s inaugural graduates felicitated in international event
The Empower Culinary & Hospitality School, Sri Lanka’s premier culinary and hospitality facility with World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) recognition, is an outcome of the philosophy of MJF Foundation Settlor Merrill...
A keen naturalist hailing from the hill country, Rohan Gunasekara began his nature work at the Hill Country Youth Exploration Society. He was later the Secretary of the Nature Exploration & Protection Society of Nuwara Eliya due to...
Breathe. Seek. Inhale. Release. If the past 18 months have taught us anything about resilience in the time of a worldwide pandemic, it is that we should always take the time to tend to ourselves. While our sense of balance or peace of...
Sri Lanka is experiencing a sea change. It is at times like this we believe our strengths and a sense of renewal comes to the fore.Here are five reasons why a traveller should visit our island home now...
We strive to imitate the magnificent tranquility that exists in the wilderness every day. As each day goes by, we begin to understand how dependent we are on the environment and space that surrounds us. The wilderness as we see it...
Ruhuna, the home of Yala, was home to a community pulsating with life and a landscape teeming with lush flora and fauna. At present, not much has changed. The community still thrives as does the wondrous nature around it, from the ...
It takes some patience to find the right meaningful souvenir so yes, take your time. There’s no rushing in finding what you need, unless of course you’re short on time itself during your travels. When browsing, keep an eye out for quirky patterns, textures, shapes and hues - this is more than often what will draw your attention and also be adopted as something unique to you.
Mankada, the Dilmah MJF Centre for Empowerment through Arts and Crafts in Uda Walawe, is an artisanal pottery centre that seeks to provide employment to women living in the area. Mankada was set up to support the local community with a...
Whilst the disruptions and restrictions to the global supply chain and local import regulations challenge the structure of the food chain for the hotel and tourism industry,we’d like to believe it has also encouraged us,or rather coaxed..
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