USS Tulsa Returns to Colombo for Scheduled Port Visit
The U.S. Navy’s USS Tulsa (LCS 16), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, arrived at the Port of Colombo on October 7, 2026, for its second visit to Sri Lanka in two years. The scheduled port visit aims to strengthen the maritime partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka while the ship refuels and resupplies before continuing its Indo-Pacific mission.
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, October 7, 2026: The U.S. Navy’s USS Tulsa (LCS 16) arrived at the Port of Colombo today, marking the ship’s second visit to Sri Lanka in two years.
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship received a warm welcome as it returned to Colombo, highlighting the enduring maritime partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka and their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity across the Indian Ocean.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer said every American ship visiting Sri Lanka provides an opportunity to deepen the friendship between the two countries and strengthen the bonds between their sailors.
He expressed appreciation for the warm welcome consistently extended by Sri Lanka to U.S. sailors, noting that such visits help build trust and relationships that strengthen the bilateral partnership and enable both countries to work together when it matters most.
USS Tulsa previously visited Colombo in August 2025.
During its current port call, the ship will refuel and resupply before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific. The visit also provides an opportunity to strengthen ties between U.S. and Sri Lankan sailors.
The visit builds on longstanding cooperation between the U.S. and Sri Lankan navies, including ship visits, professional exchanges, training and exercises such as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). These activities contribute to greater interoperability and enhance the ability of the two navies to work together.
Designed for speed and versatility, USS Tulsa can operate in both shallow waters and the open ocean, reflecting advanced U.S. maritime capabilities and technology.
Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, USS Tulsa features a distinctive trimaran hull and can reach speeds of more than 40 knots. Its large flight deck and adaptable mission spaces enable the ship to support helicopters, small boats, unmanned systems, personnel and equipment for a wide range of missions.
These capabilities allow the ship to undertake missions ranging from maritime security and sea control to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
USS Tulsa was commissioned in San Francisco on February 16, 2019. Named after Tulsa, Oklahoma, the ship operates in the Indo-Pacific under the motto “Tough, Able, Ready.”
