US Plans $15m Digital Upgrade for Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port

The United States is preparing a $15 million assistance package to improve digital infrastructure at the Port of Colombo, as Sri Lanka seeks to reduce vessel waiting times and boost the gateway’s operational efficiency.

According to the Sri Lankan government, US Federal Maritime Commission chair Laura DiBella and commissioner Robert Harvey revealed during discussions in Colombo that the proposed funding has been approved by the US State Department.

The assistance still requires approval from Congress before it can be officially announced.

The planned funding is intended to speed up port operations, modernize digital infrastructure and shorten vessel turnaround and waiting times. Details about the specific systems or technology suppliers that could be included in the program have not yet been disclosed.

DiBella and Harvey met Sri Lanka’s minister of energy, ports and civil aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, along with senior ministry officials on September 8. The meeting formed part of wider discussions covering port efficiency and future infrastructure development.

The talks also addressed the next stage of Colombo’s physical expansion. Karunathilaka said the government is considering financing options for extending the port’s breakwater, which will be necessary to support the proposed second West Container Terminal. However, no funding commitment for the project was announced.

The discussions come as Colombo continues to record strong container growth. According to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the port handled 4.44 million teu during the first half of 2026, an increase of 11.9% compared with the same period a year earlier.

That followed a record annual throughput of approximately 8.29 million teu in 2025. Growth during the first half of 2026 also moved Colombo into 20th position among the world’s largest container ports.

The proposed US assistance comes amid increasing maritime engagement between Washington and Sri Lanka. DiBella is visiting Colombo this week for the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference, with the FMC confirming that she is scheduled to appear at the event on September 9.