Whatever Sri Lanka's election result, China's back in business...

Work on a landmark Chinese-backed waterfront development in Colombo could resume after next Monday's general election in Sri Lanka, even if Beijing's preferred candidate for prime minister, ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is defeated.

Eight months after losing power, the 69-year-old strongman is mounting a comeback bid. But his campaign - dogged by allegations of corruption and abuse of power that he denies - is flagging.

The reformist alliance that rallied to elect President Maithripala Sirisena in January remains intact. Pundits say it should secure a majority and can call on the backing of smaller parties if needed.

Although avowedly pro-Western in his outlook, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is not about to slam the door on China. Beijing has already pumped billions of dollars into Sri Lanka to build a staging post on its "Maritime Silk Route" to the oil-rich Middle East and on to Europe, its largest export market. Full story...

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