Maldives and Sri Lanka on Monday signed a treaty to offer mutual legal assistance on criminal matters.
The treaty was signed between the two countries during the ongoing official visit to the Maldives by the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Disanayaka.
The treaty was signed on behalf of the Maldives by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel while his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath signed for Sri Lanka. The signing was witnessed by the two Presidents during a ceremony held at the President’s Office.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, negotiations for the treaty between the two countries began in 2011. The treaty, which has since been endorsed by the cabinet, aims to strengthen legal cooperation between the two countries by facilitating assistance in criminal investigations, prosecutions, and the exchange of evidence and information.
The treaty stipulates that cases submitted will be received, examined and processed by the Central Authority established in the respective country, the Ministry added.
President Disanayaka’s three-day official visit takes place against the backdrop of a diplomatic milestone: the 60th anniversary of formal relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, established on 26 July 1965.