By: Staff Writer
August 17, Colombo (LNW): The United States Navy’s USS Santa Barbara, an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship belonging to the U.S. 7th Fleet, made its first-ever port call at the Port of Colombo this morning, signaling Washington’s continued focus on maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean region.
The sleek warship, christened in October 2021 and stretching 127.5 meters in length, is currently deployed under Destroyer Squadron 7, which operates across the Indo-Pacific. Its mission profile includes deterring aggression, strengthening military partnerships, and enhancing future warfighting capabilities. The Colombo stop is primarily for refueling and resupply before the vessel resumes its regional patrols.
The U.S. 7th Fleet—the world’s largest forward-deployed naval fleet—plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sea lanes stretching across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. By bringing the USS Santa Barbara to Colombo, Washington underscores Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning at the heart of major international shipping routes, where maritime security concerns such as smuggling, piracy, and geopolitical competition remain pressing.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, accompanied by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, toured the vessel shortly after its arrival.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Chung described the port call as a symbol of the “strong and growing partnership” between Washington and Colombo.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s critical role in the Indian Ocean, she stressed that joint efforts with Sri Lanka’s Navy have been instrumental in tackling transnational threats such as drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Ambassador Chung further announced that the U.S. will provide Sri Lanka with a fourth Coast Guard cutter later this year, enhancing the island’s maritime surveillance and interdiction capacity. “Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific,” she said.
For Sri Lanka, the visit comes at a time when global powers are vying for influence in the region. Colombo’s ports, particularly in the west and south, have become focal points of strategic interest for both Washington and Beijing, making balanced diplomacy crucial for the island nation.
Defense analysts suggest that U.S. naval visits serve not only operational purposes but also reinforce Washington’s message of partnership to smaller Indo-Pacific states navigating a complex geopolitical environment.
As the USS Santa Barbara departs Colombo to continue its Indo-Pacific patrols, its presence leaves behind a clear signal: Sri Lanka remains a key maritime partner for the United States in its broader effort to uphold freedom of navigation and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
