U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka H. E. Eric Stern Meyer visited the Port of Colombo this morning and met with senior management of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), including Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake. The meeting was also attended by Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy, and Mr. W. W. S. Mangala, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.

During the meeting, Ambassador Meyer announced a US$17 million grant to improve Sri Lanka’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System. The proposed funding will support digital infrastructure used for maritime documentation, regulatory procedures and information exchange among port stakeholders.

The planned improvements are intended to strengthen coordination between the SLPA, Customs, shipping lines, terminal operators and other agencies involved in port operations. Better integration of maritime data and administrative processes could reduce paperwork, improve cargo clearance and support more efficient vessel and cargo operations.

The announcement concerns digital systems that underpin port operations and trade facilitation at Colombo, a major transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean.