The United States is considering US$15 million in financial assistance to support the digitalisation of the Port of Colombo, as Sri Lanka looks to improve operational efficiency and accelerate future port development.
The proposed funding has received approval from the US State Department but still requires Congressional approval, according to the official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka.
An official announcement is expected once that approval is secured in the coming weeks.
The proposed assistance was discussed during a meeting between US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chair Laura DiBella and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Energy, Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka.
FMC Commissioner Robert Harvey and senior Sri Lankan government officials also participated in the talks.
According to the Sri Lankan Government, the proposed US funding would be used to develop digital infrastructure at the Port of Colombo.
The planned initiatives are intended to accelerate port operations and reduce vessel turnaround and waiting times.
Discussions also focused on improving operational efficiency, accelerating digitalisation and securing international cooperation for future port development projects.
The US delegation highlighted Colombo’s strategic importance both to Sri Lanka and to cargo movements connected with the United States, while expressing readiness to support the port’s development.
The talks extended beyond digitalisation to Colombo’s future physical capacity.
Karunathilaka highlighted the need to expand the port’s breakwater system to support the proposed Second Western Container Terminal, known as WCT-2.
The Sri Lankan Government is exploring potential support from financial institutions for the project, according to the government statement.
The development comes as Colombo continues to expand its role as a major container transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean.
The FMC delegation subsequently visited the Port of Colombo for talks with the chairman and senior management of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
According to SLPA, discussions covered port operations and services, capacity development, current development programmes and future projects.
The two sides also exchanged views on developments in international shipping, regional port development, maritime connectivity and supply-chain resilience.
SLPA said Colombo’s continued capacity expansion and ability to provide efficient services remain important to its position within the wider Indian Ocean maritime network.
The proposed US$15 million digitalisation programme would add a technology-focused element to those development efforts. However, the funding has not yet been finalised and remains subject to Congressional approval.
