USS Tulsa arrives in Colombo for scheduled port visit

The USS Tulsa (LCS 16), a United States Navy littoral combat ship, arrived at the Port of Colombo today (07) for a scheduled port visit, marking its second visit to Sri Lanka in two years.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, the Independence-variant littoral combat ship will refuel and resupply in Colombo before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific.

USS Tulsa previously visited Colombo in August 2025.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer said visits by American naval vessels provide an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries and deepen ties between their sailors.

“Every American ship that visits Sri Lanka is an opportunity to deepen the friendship between our countries and the bonds between our sailors,” Meyer said, adding that such visits help build trust and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The Embassy said the latest visit builds on longstanding cooperation between the U.S. and Sri Lankan navies through ship visits, professional exchanges, training and joint exercises, including Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).

USS Tulsa is an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship designed for maritime security, sea control and operations with partner countries across the Indo-Pacific.

Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, the vessel features a distinctive trimaran hull and can reach speeds exceeding 40 knots.

Its large flight deck and adaptable mission spaces enable the ship to support helicopters, small boats, unmanned systems, personnel and equipment for missions ranging from maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Named after Tulsa, Oklahoma, the vessel was commissioned in San Francisco on February 16, 2019, and operates in the Indo-Pacific under the motto “Tough, Able, Ready.” (Newswire)

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