International Coconut Day was declared in 1998 at the 25th ministerial meeting of the Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) now known as the International Coconut Community (ICC), an inter-governmental body established in 1969. ICC has 18 member countries and Sri Lanka is also a pioneer member. As per the declaration 'The International Coconut Day' falls on September 2. Sri Lanka is among the top coconut producing countries by production volume and extent.

With this, a Special Coconut Planting Campaign was launched by the Command Agro Unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force at SLAF Base Katunayake today (2 September 2020) in order to commemorate World Coconut Day. The coconut cultivation was initiated by the Command Agro Unit in order to plant approximately 420 coconut seedlings in an approximate area of 6.5 acres with the blessings of the Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyacontha and under the guidance of the Command Agro Officer, Air Commodore Suharshi Fernando.

Further, the Command Agro Unit has also made arrangements to distribute approximately 1500 coconut seedlings to other Air Force establishments during the year 2020 to enhance the coconut plantation within the SLAF.