
USS Santa Barbara to make first port call in Colombo
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka said that USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship,will arrive at the Port of Colombo tomorrow.
This marks the vessel’s first port call in Sri Lanka, highlighting the growing strength of U.S.–Sri Lanka ties and shared commitment to regional maritime security.
The brief visit will allow the ship to refuel and resupply before continuing its ongoing mission in the Indo-Pacific region.
“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 USS Santa Barbara is part of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet—the world’s largest forward-deployed fleet—which operates throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The ship supports forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence operations. It currently operates under Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7) and conducts regular patrols aimed at deterring aggression and enhancing regional cooperation.
Commissioned in 2021, the *Santa Barbara* is specifically designed for near-shore operations, advancing the U.S. Navy’s capabilities in littoral environments while strengthening alliances with partners such as Sri Lanka.