USS Santa Barbara to make first port call in Colombo tomorrow

Colombo, August 15 (Daily Mirror) - The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka announced that the USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, will arrive at the Port of Colombo tomorrow (August 16).

This marks the vessel’s first visit to Sri Lanka, underscoring the growing strength of U.S.–Sri Lanka relations and a shared commitment to regional maritime security.

The USS Santa Barbara will make a brief stop to refuel and resupply before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific.

“The arrival of the USS Santa Barbara to Sri Lanka is a powerful symbol of the U.S.–Sri Lanka partnership in action,” said U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung. “This visit reflects our shared commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The ship is part of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet—the world’s largest forward-deployed fleet—which operates across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Currently operating under Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7), the Santa Barbara conducts regular patrols to deter aggression, strengthen partnerships, and support maritime stability.

Commissioned in 2021, the USS Santa Barbara is designed for operations in near-shore environments and plays a key role in advancing the U.S. Navy’s capabilities in littoral zones while fostering collaboration with regional partners such as Sri Lanka.