The United States has announced a US$17 million grant to improve Sri Lanka’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure for maritime documentation, regulatory procedures and information exchange among port stakeholders.
The announcement was made by U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Stern Meyer during a visit to the Port of Colombo this morning (16), where he met with senior management of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), including Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake.
The meeting was also attended by Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy, and W. W. S. Mangala, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.
The proposed funding is expected to support improvements in 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 facilitate more efficient vessel and cargo operations.
The announcement concerns digital systems that underpin port operations and trade facilitation at Colombo, a major transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean.
