Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company CEO Dilhan C. Fernando and National Institute of Plantation Management CEO Dr. Prasad Dharmasena exchange agreement in the presence of (from left) Training Specialist Ruvini Lokuhetti, Head Academic Affairs S.N. Illanganthilake, NIPM Chairman Asoka Siriwardana, Training Officer Lahiru Kulasekera, Accountant L.D.J. Priyantha, Training Specialist P.H. Jayathilake, Training Officer Chanaka Weerakoon, Kahawatte Plantations PLC COO Dr. Dan Seevaratnam, History of Ceylon Tea Editor David Colin-Thomé and former Kahawatte Plantations PLC CEO Anura Gunasekera 

Family tea company Dilmah initiated a collaboration with the National Institute of Plantation Management (NIPM) to develop and produce a teaching module based on the history of Ceylon Tea. 

Adding a new dimension to the current NIPM syllabus on plantation management, the memorandum of agreement was jointly attested at Dilmah’s head office recently by Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company CEO Dilhan C. Fernando and NIPM CEO Dr. Prasad Dharmasena, in the presence of NIPM Chairman Asoka Siriwardanas. 

The NIPM is the only educational institute in Sri Lanka providing an exclusive alignment with the wide-ranging technical, agricultural and administrative requirements of the country’s plantation sector. In addition to offering a wide spectrum of diploma programmes in relation to tea, rubber, coconut and oil palm, it is also empowered in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management of the Wayamba University, to offer the Bachelor of Science Degree in Plantation Management (external). 

Instruction in the new module will be delivered by Dilmah’s History of Ceylon Tea website (HOCT) Editor David Colin-Thomé. The latter is an industry service initiative launched by Dilmah in 2003 and has since evolved into one of the largest single-industry websites in the world. It is not only an indelible archive of one of the great industries of the world but also a valuable educational resource for those already in the planting industry as well as for those who wish to forge careers in plantation management. 

This worthy initiative was the result of discussions between Dilmah and NIPM Director/Chief Executive Officer Dr. Prasad Dharmasena. Dilhan Fernando, on behalf of Dilmah, expressed his appreciation for the co-operation, adding the importance of students of tea understanding the industry’s history in participating in its future. Dilmah’s History of Ceylon Tea initiative is another aspect of the commitment of Dilmah founder Merril J. Fernando, to Ceylon Tea and its long-term sustainability.