'New Sri Lankan govt to maintain normal ties with China'

Sri Lanka's new government will try to maintain normal ties with China, a spokesman said today, amid allegations that under the previous regime Colombo was "too cosy" with Beijing, much to the discomfiture of neighbouring India.
"We want to normalise the relationship with China. We don't want to go overboard," said Samaraweera, tipped to be the new foreign minister in the government led by President Maithripala Sirisena.
Sirisena has already said his first foreign visit will be to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The new government will review huge contracts and investment approvals awarded to Chinese firms following allegations of huge kickbacks given to former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cronies, Samaraweera said.

India was upset when a Chinese submarine docked at the Chinese-built section of the Colombo port in September last year. It has also repeatedly expressed its concerns over the Chinese-built port in Hambantota in the South.
Meanwhile, Sirisena has promised to keep the island nation friendly with both India and China, saying "Sri Lanka won't be anti-India or dependent".