The United States has announced a US$17 million grant to improve Sri Lanka’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System, aiming to strengthen digital infrastructure for maritime documentation, regulatory procedures and information exchange among port stakeholders.
The announcement was made by US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Stern Meyer during a visit to the Port of Colombo this morning (16), where he met 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 improve coordination among the SLPA, Customs, shipping lines, terminal operators and other agencies involved in port operations.
Integrating maritime data and administrative processes could reduce paperwork, speed up cargo clearance and improve the efficiency of vessel and cargo operations.
The initiative focuses on digital systems supporting port operations and trade facilitation at the Port of Colombo, a major transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean.
