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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The US Embassy in Sri Lanka says the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) visited the Port of Colombo today, its last visit being in 2021 for the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy. 

According to the US Embassy, built for speed and versatility, the USS Tulsa can operate in both shallow waters and the open ocean, reflecting America’s cutting-edge maritime capability. 

This time, Colombo will serve as a brief stop for refuelling and resupply before the USS Tulsa continues its mission in the Indo-Pacific.

The United States deeply appreciates Sri Lanka’s warm welcome for the USS Tulsa and her crew, a gesture that reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, secure sea lanes, and regional prosperity, the US Embassy added.

The USS Tulsa is an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship designed to operate in near-shore environments and support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions. Equipped with a trimaran hull, LCS 16 can achieve a top speed of greater than 40 Knots. 

The USS Tulsa has the capability of transporting small assault helicopters and assault forces with vehicles, making the LCS 16 a formidable force that has the flexibility to adapt to different mission needs. Named after the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, the USS Tulsa was commissioned in San Francisco on February 16, 2019.

Guided by the motto ‘Tough, Able, Ready,’ the USS Tulsa is armed with a 57mm naval gun, missile launchers, and a range of other offensive capabilities. It patrols the Indo-Pacific region to help keep the area safe and stable by responding to threats and supporting maritime security. (Newswire)

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