Colombo Port Expansion Strengthens Sri Lanka's Role in Indo-Pacific Trade

COLOMBO (News 1st); U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Sri Lanka, Jayne Howell, says American foreign policy is guided by the principle that it must make the United States safer, stronger and more prosperous. 

She said stability is essential for markets to function and for capital to move, adding that the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to strengthen the investment climate are critical for private capital, including American investment, to expand with confidence.

Howell noted that challenges such as unpredictable regulations, bureaucratic barriers, inconsistent standards and opaque procurement continue to affect the investment environment. She said American companies bring world-class technology, innovation and transparency, creating high-quality jobs and integrating markets into resilient global supply chains.

However, she emphasised that American investment is disciplined and flows to environments where contracts are honoured, regulations are predictable and procurement is transparent.

Highlighting the Port of Colombo as an example of economic interests aligning, she said it is South Asia’s leading container transshipment hub and expansion plans will double capacity to 15 million containers by 2027. A stronger port, she said, supports faster and more reliable supply chains for American manufacturers and consumers while reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as a trusted logistics hub in the Indo-Pacific.

Howell also said the United States is not just a market but a platform for Sri Lankan companies seeking ambitious growth, offering two significant pathways to deepen engagement. For companies ready to scale, she noted that the SelectUSA initiative allows Sri Lankan firms to connect directly with state-level leaders, compare incentives, build supply chains and position themselves within the world’s largest consumer economy.

She described trade and investment as a reinforcing cycle in which American innovation powers Sri Lankan growth, while Sri Lankan enterprise creates jobs and opportunities in the United States.

She added that rebuilding is not only about restoration but about constructing a modern and diversified economy grounded in fair and predictable rules. Howell said the next phase presents an opportunity to strengthen market institutions, anchor growth in sound fundamentals and ensure that prosperity is broad-based and durable. She stated that disciplined reform will position Sri Lanka as a reliable hub at the centre of Indian Ocean trade, where global supply chains converge and high standards prevail.