USS Santa Barbara Makes First Port Call in Colombo, Underscoring U.S.–Sri Lanka Maritime Partnership
Colombo, August 16 LankaXpress.com – The United States Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) made its inaugural port call at the Colombo Port today, marking a milestone in the growing defense and maritime partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, delivering remarks alongside senior Sri Lankan defense officials, described the visit as “a powerful symbol of the enduring partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.”
She thanked the ship’s commanding officer, Commander Adam Ochs, Sri Lankan Secretary of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda for their leadership in advancing regional security.
“The arrival of the USS Santa Barbara—a Littoral Combat Ship built for speed, agility, and advanced operations—is more than just a port call. It reflects the strong and growing relationship between our nations. For over 75 years, the United States and Sri Lanka have worked together to advance shared goals of economic prosperity, security, and stability,” Ambassador Chung said.
She highlighted Sri Lanka’s vital role in safeguarding the Indian Ocean, a critical artery for global trade, and commended the Sri Lanka Navy for its contributions to combating drug trafficking, human smuggling, and transnational crime.
Citing the Navy’s 2024 deployment to the Arabian Sea under Operation Prosperity Guardian and its leadership of Combined Maritime Force – Task Force 154, Ambassador Chung praised Sri Lanka’s “resilient and determined” commitment to maritime security.
The Ambassador also emphasized U.S. support for Sri Lanka’s naval capacity, noting that three previously gifted U.S. Coast Guard cutters—the Samudura, Gajabahu, and Vijayabahu—are actively patrolling Sri Lankan waters, with a fourth cutter to be gifted later this year.
“The visit of the USS Santa Barbara represents the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean region. Together, we will continue to uphold these values and ensure this vital part of the world remains a beacon of stability and opportunity,” she added.
The USS Santa Barbara, measuring 127.4 meters (418 feet) in length, is part of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet and is designed for operations in near-shore environments, supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions across the Indo-Pacific.
