The Pulseline News Desk
The United States (US) Navy’s littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived at the Port of Colombo on Monday (26) for a routine port call, marking its second visit to Sri Lanka this year and the second visit by a US warship to Colombo this month.
The arrival follows the visit of the USS Tulsa (LCS 16), another Independence-variant littoral combat ship, which arrived at Colombo earlier in the month for a goodwill and replenishment visit. The vessel refuelled and replenished supplies before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific.
The latest visit by the USS Canberra underscores ongoing maritime engagement between Washington and Colombo amid continuing cooperation between the two navies on regional security and stability in the Indian Ocean.
The US Embassy in Colombo welcomed the Canberra’s arrival, describing the visit as a reflection of the longstanding partnership between the US and Sri Lankan navies and their shared commitment to maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer thanked the Sri Lanka Navy for its assistance in facilitating the visits, emphasising the importance of cooperation in maintaining regional security and stability.
“We appreciate the Sri Lanka Navy’s professionalism and support in making these visits smooth and efficient. Each visit reinforces the strength of our naval partnership, built on trust, and our shared commitment to maintaining security and stability across the Indian Ocean,” Meyer has said.
The USS Canberra, built in Mobile, Alabama, is designed to operate in coastal waters and the open ocean. Equipped with advanced technology and adaptable mission systems, the vessel can conduct maritime security operations, counter sea mines and support US naval presence and deterrence missions.
Its deployment across the Indo-Pacific reflects Washington’s broader commitment to protecting vital maritime routes, maintaining freedom of navigation and strengthening security cooperation with regional partners.
The vessel’s latest port call follows a previous visit to Sri Lanka in June this year.
The ship also carries historical significance. In February 2018, US President Donald Trump announced that it would be named USS Canberra in honour of HMAS Canberra, an Australian warship lost during the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942 while fighting alongside US forces during World War II.
The current vessel is the second US Navy ship to bear the name Canberra. On July 22, 2023, it became the first US Navy warship to be commissioned in an allied country, during a ceremony at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East in Sydney.
The visits by the USS Canberra and USS Tulsa highlight the continuing engagement between Colombo and Washington on maritime security, as cooperation among regional and international naval forces remains important to safeguarding sea lanes and maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean.
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