USS Tulsa (LCS 16), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, arrived at the Port of Colombo on October 7, receiving a warm welcome from Sri Lanka as the ship returns for its second visit in two years. The port call underscores the enduring U.S.–Sri Lanka maritime partnership and our shared commitment to maintaining peace, security, and prosperity across the Indian Ocean.
“Every American ship that visits Sri Lanka is an opportunity to deepen the friendship between our countries and the bonds between our sailors,” said U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer. “We are grateful for the warm welcome Sri Lanka continues to extend to our sailors. These visits build the trust and relationships that make our partnership stronger and help our countries work together when it matters most.”
USS Tulsa last visited Colombo in August 2025. This goodwill visit provides an opportunity to strengthen ties between U.S. and Sri Lankan sailors while the ship refuels and resupplies before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific. 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), which strengthen interoperability and the ability of our forces to work together.
Built for speed and versatility, the USS Tulsa can operate in both shallow waters and the open ocean, which reflects America’s cutting-edge maritime capability and technological leadership.
About USS Tulsa: USS Tulsa is an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship designed for maritime security, sea control, and operations with partners across the Indo-Pacific. Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, the ship features a distinctive trimaran hull and can reach speeds greater than 40 knots. Its large flight deck and adaptable mission spaces allow it to support helicopters, small boats, unmanned systems, personnel, and equipment for a range of missions, from maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. This flexibility is particularly valuable in the Indian Ocean, where secure sea lanes, rapid response, and cooperation among maritime partners are critical to regional security and prosperity. Named after Tulsa, Oklahoma, USS Tulsa was commissioned in San Francisco on February 16, 2019, and operates in the Indo-Pacific under the motto “Tough, Able, Ready.”