U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka H. E. Eric Stern Meyer has announced a US$17 million grant to improve Sri Lanka’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System, with the aim of modernising maritime documentation and strengthening coordination among port, customs and shipping authorities.
The announcement was made during the Ambassador’s visit to the Port of Colombo this morning, where he met with senior management of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), including its Chairman, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka and Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation W. W. S. Mangala.
The proposed funding will support digital infrastructure for maritime documentation, regulatory procedures and information exchange among port stakeholders. The planned improvements are expected to strengthen coordination among 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 enhance the efficiency of vessel and cargo operations.
The initiative focuses on strengthening the digital systems that support port operations and trade facilitation at the Port of Colombo, a major transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean.
