US$17 million US grant supports Colombo Port modernization

Newswire, Daily Mirror, Lanka Business Online, Sri Lanka Mirror, Newsfirst and Ada Derana report that the U.S. Navy’s USS Canberra (LCS 30), an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, arrived at Colombo Port on October 26 for a routine port call. Lanka Business Online, Sri Lanka Mirror and Newsfirst say it was the vessel’s second visit to Sri Lanka in 2026, following an earlier call in June.

Lanka Business Online reports that U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer thanked the Sri Lanka Navy for its support and professionalism during the visits. The outlet says the embassy described the port calls as reflecting the longstanding naval partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and stability in the Indian Ocean.

Ada Derana reports that USS Canberra departed Colombo after a two-day visit. Daily Mirror separately reports that the United States provided a US$17 million grant to support modernization of Colombo Port. Newsfirst describes the port as pursuing an ambitious modernization effort intended to improve its speed, technology and competitiveness, but its available report text provides no further detail.