When we talk about new forestry programmes such as the recently launched Wanaspathi, we think of planting trees only in isolated locations in rural areas. However, reservations along streams and roads in urban areas are also potential locations for planting trees.

Concept behind the Proposal

Road Reservations and Stream corridors which extend to about 10 to 20 Metres on either side are not actively protected in Sri Lanka though it is very common in other countries. Reservations of roads and streams are owned by the government. Therefore, public use of this land can be considered as a fair use of the land. Another purpose of this proposal is to introduce an intervention to connect the isolated Forest Patches in urban areas using the reservations of streams and roads by planting trees so that those strips act also as Bio Corridors while enhancing the tree cover at national level.

Already completed Projects

In Sri Lanka, the concept of Bio Corridor was introduced in 1988 under a project called Mahaweli Agriculture and Rural Development project implemented in System B under an USAID funded programme. Similar to highways which connect main cities, in this case the Bio Corridors were introduced as “Bio Highways” connecting fragmented forest patches (“Bio Cities”). At the same time those corridors were improved as Cycle Tracks for local farmers.

In 2010, similar intervention was introduced in Gampaha District in parallel with a flood mitigation project implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (WP). For example, when Uruwal Oya running adjacent to Gampaha Urban Area was improved to mitigate floods, when it runs adjacent to urban areas, those riparian tree belt areas were introduced. In this project while streams were improved to mitigate floods, riparian forest tree belts were also introduced using Bio Engineering Technologies to strengthen the stream banks structurally, instead of using gabions. Later, part of that stream running adjacent to Gampaha Town was improved as Recreational purposes such as Jogging tracks for urban communities.

According to this intervention, as an additional benefit, it was expected that the shades provided by riparian tree cover would discourage growth of invasive plants such as Japan Jabara, which clogs the drainage outlets resulting in floods in Urban Areas. Note that a technical paper published highlighting those achievements under Uruwal Oya, won the First Prize in a competition held by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL)-2012 on Water Related Bio Engineering Interventions in Urban Areas.

Eng. Mahinda Panapitiya

For centuries, green tea has been cherished for its delicate flavours and health benefits. But now, a quiet revolution is brewing—literally. Across Japan, China, and even in tech-forward Western startups, tea enthusiasts and scientists are rediscovering an ancient technique with a modern twist: steam brewing. Unlike traditional boiling, which can scorch leaves and destroy nutrients, steam extraction gently coaxes out the tea’s essence, preserving its antioxidants, amino acids, and subtle aromas.

Could this be the future of tea? From home gardeners experimenting with DIY steamers to high-end machines mimicking espresso precision, steam-brewed green tea is making waves. And with growing interest in wellness, sustainability, and artisanal food culture, this method might just be the next big thing in beverages.

The Science Behind Steam Brewing: Why It Works

Green tea is rich in L-theanine (a calming amino acid), catechins (potent antioxidants), and chlorophyll (which gives it a vibrant color). However, boiling water can degrade these compounds, leading to bitterness and lost benefits.

Steam, on the other hand:
✔ Preserves delicate flavours – Lower temperatures (70–85°C) prevent overcooking. Although the temperature of steam is 100^oC, it drops down to 70-85^oC when it interacts with tea leaves.
✔ Enhances nutrient retention – More L-theanine and EGCG (a powerful antioxidant) remain intact.
✔ Reduces bitterness – By avoiding harsh extraction, the tea stays smooth and sweet.

Studies in Japan have shown that steamed green tea (like Sencha) retains up to 30% more antioxidants than boiled versions. This makes it not just tastier, but also better for immunity, metabolism, and mental clarity.

From Farm to Cup: How Different Cultures Are Embracing Steam Brewing

1. Japan: The Masters of Steam

Japan has used steam for centuries in Sencha and Matcha production. Today, companies like Tiger Corporation and Panasonic sell home steam brewers, while Kyoto’s elite tea houses serve steam-infused Gyokuro—a luxury variety with unmatched umami depth.

2. China: Artisanal Steam Fixation

While most Chinese green teas are pan-fired, Enshi Yulu from Hubei province still relies on light steaming, giving it a uniquely fresh, grassy taste. Small farmers are reviving this method, catering to premium markets.

3. The West: Tech Meets Tradition

In the U.S., startups like Teforia (now defunct) and Bkon experimented with steam-vacuum brewing, while coffee shops modify Yama cold brew towers for iced steam tea. The demand for specialty tea is growing, and steam extraction could be the next trend.

Can You Steam-Brew at Home? Absolutely!

You don’t need fancy machines to try steam brewing. Here’s how:

For an extra health boost, add ginger, cinnamon, or mint—these pair perfectly with steamed green tea’s natural sweetness.

The Future of Tea: Where Do We Go From Here?

Steam brewing isn’t just a novelty—it’s a return to smarter, gentler tea preparation. As consumers seek healthier, more sustainable beverages, this method offers:

The way forward?

🔹 Tea companies should invest in affordable home steam brewers.
🔹 Researchers should study steam’s impact on different tea varieties.
🔹 Consumers can experiment with DIY steaming for fresher, tastier tea.

One thing is clear: The future of tea is steaming ahead—literally. Will you take the plunge?

The writer is a Senior Research Professor at National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, and a tea researcher interested in improving tea quality using microbial biotechnologies.

by Gamini Seneviratne

– NIFS -Kandy
Introduction: The Ancient
Brew Meets Modern Science

An appreciation

So said my son-in-law Captain Suraj Weerasekera on the day that his father died, three years ago, when I condoled with him on that sad occasion.

I first met Suraj when he came to see me in my official residence in Kotahena when he was a student in a senior form at Nalanda College, My daughter Samanmalee, who is a Visakian asked me whether a son of a Brigadier named Ananda Weerasekera, training in Athletics with her at the Independence Square Grounds could visit us. She represented the national team here and abroad. I consulted my wife who readily agreed, indicating that she had been aware of an affair between Samanmalee and Suraj , going beyond the realms of the training grounds. A few days later a handsome, lanky lad visited us. He was soft spoken and exuded an aura of inborn innocence. Sooner than expected, the athletics training came to an abrupt end and Suraj and Samanmalee entered the bonds of marriage with the blessings of elders from both families in the year 1996 and became proud parents of two daughters and a son.

Before his marriage Suraj left for Texas for training as a pilot and having successfully completed the course joined SriLankan airlines as a pilot. He got his command on A320 in November 2000 and he joined ETIHAD AIRWAYS in March 2006. He became a flight instructor in May 2007. He went to the BOEING Fleet in October 2012 as a line pilot and rose to the rank of Senior Examiner on the BOEING fleet.

Suraj was a true nationalist and he loved his country immensely. It was after much deliberation and with a degree of hesitation that he joined a foreign airline. It was done for the sake of his children’s education. All three children are now in the closing stages of their education in foreign universities. He used to visit his motherland at least twice a year and during those visits he used his sizable financial resources to help his needy friends, relations, religious and educational institutions, and desolate villages in the Ampara District. His generosity to his alma mater was highlighted in the funeral oration delivered by a representative of the college. He spent a few millions on the development of the facilities in the Buddangala Viharaya, where his father

Major General Ananda Weerasekera was ordained a priest and spent the last years of life in solitude and meditation.

When I was sworn in as an Attorney- at- Law in 2011, after my retirement from the police service, Suraj congratulated me and presented me with a desktop computer and printer which he had purchased in Abu Dhabi. I am using that computer to type this appreciation. He told me that I could now continue with the service I have been rendering for the nation in the new capacity as a lawyer to help the poor and needy. I cannot express in words the grief that engulfs me when these memories strike my mind.

When he visited Sri Lanka on 02 March this year for the big match between Ananda and Nalanda, he telephoned me and invited me to meet him at his residence in Maharagama. I met him at about 5PM . He was quite hale and hearty and in good spirits and there were no signs of illness. He served me vegetarian pastries and we had tea together. He was a vegetarian and a teetotaler.

True to his word of honour , he treated me with intense respect and unflagging affection. He was the epitome of love and affection. Unfortunately, his relationship with his wife was in the doldrums after nearly

20 years of blissful married life. My wife, Soma, and I were at a loss to understand those shocking developments but we presumed that it was due to the stress of a pilot’s life which invariably involved long days of work away from the family. The trauma generated by such loneliness may have impacted negatively on their relationships and snowballed into the disruption of their marriage. When I met him, he told me that divorce would not in any way disrupt the education of his children; he allocated sufficient funds for their university education.

So, my dear son Suraj, you have discharged the obligations and responsibilities of your life very creditably, a true testimony to the fact that you are a gentleman in the true  sense of the word. You were always conscious of the core concept of Buddhism, to wit, anichcha watha sankara that all things that come to existence  through a combination of causes and conditions are subject to change and decay.’ All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.’(Shakespeare) Your role was as a Captain and the role was executed exceptionally well.

May you attain the supreme bliss of NIBBANA!

H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya

(Former SDIG)