The eighth wave of seed bombing at Labugasdamana Government Forest Reservation in Anuradhapura was instigated on 30 Oct and 31 October 2023 together with the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya, Central Environment Authority and the generous sponsorship of the MAS Holdings by the Sri Lanka Air Force Agro Unit at SLAF Base Katunayake and the Department of Forest Conservation to achieve the aim of improving the forest density of Sri Lanka.
The first wave of the mission was executed at the Ranorawa government forest in a five-acre land area and approximately 5,000 seed bombs were released. During the second wave, 67,000 seed bombs were dropped over a 60-acre area inside the forest of Lahugala in Ampara. The third wave which was conducted in December 2020 saw the dropping of approximately 30,000 seed bombs over 25 acres of land area within the Lahugala National Park. The fourth wave was carried out in the Lahugala National Park where 70,000 seed bombs were dropped over a 60-acre area. The fifth wave was carried out in the Kebilitta Government Forest Reserve where 80,000 seed bombs were dropped over a 75-acre area. Through the sixth wave, 65,000 seed bombs were dropped over 70 acres of area inside the same forestry at Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat. The seventh wave dropped 100,000 seed bombs around the 80 acres in Wattegama Kebilitta.
The seed bombs comprised native trees such as Kon (Schleicher oleosa), Kohomba (Azadirachta indica), Maila (Bauhinia racemose), Ma Dan (Syzygium cumini), Siyambala (Tamarindus indica), Mee (Madhuca longifolia), Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna), Kayaa (Swietenia macrophylla), Bulu (Terminalia belerica), Kithul (Caryota urens), Munamal (Mimusops elengi), Karanda (Millettia pinnata) and Ketakala (Bridilia retusa).
The total land area covered by this mission was approximately 50 acres where 80,000 seed bombs were dropped and this mission was planned to coincide with the monsoon rain season as well to maximize its effectiveness.
SLAF Base Anuradhapura was utilized as the staging base for this mission as it was 13 Nautical miles from the selected area. The MI – 17 Helicopter which was utilized for this mission was captained by Flight Lieutenant AND Gunasinghe while the Co-Pilot was Squadron Leader WNCA Wijesuriya.
