Maldives-Lanka agreement on mutual legal assistance heads to committee

The treaty between Maldives and Sri Lanka on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, has been sent to parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee at Tuesday’s sitting for review.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu submitted the text of the “Treaty Between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters” to the parliament for approval on Monday.

The cabinet approved signing the treaty on June 02.

According to the law, the Maldives must become a party to any international treaty or convention after its parliamentary approval.

In the letter President Muizzu sent to the parliament seeking its approval for the treaty, he had highlighted the long-standing relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and noted the primary aim of the treaty is to provide mutual support and cooperation in combatting criminal offenses.

Under the treaty, both countries are required to assist in a wide range of criminal cases, in compliance with their respective laws and regulations, as well as the provisions of the treaty.

Preliminary work on the treaty for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between the two countries began in 2011.