The Maldives and Sri Lanka have established a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters, marking a significant step forward in strengthening international cooperation in combating crime.
On behalf of the Maldives, the treaty was signed by Prosecutor General Justice (Rtd.) Uz. Abbas Shareef. Under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (Act No. 2/2015), the Prosecutor General’s Office serves as the central authority responsible for receiving and executing mutual legal assistance requests.
The exchange of the treaty took place on Monday, 28 July 2025, during the official visit of Sri Lankan President His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In a ceremony held at the President’s Office, HE President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and HE President Anura Kumara Dissanayake witnessed the exchange of the treaty between the two countries.
This treaty establishes a comprehensive framework for both countries to provide mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The scope of cooperation includes, but is not limited to:
- Locating and identifying persons and objects.
- Taking evidence and obtaining statements.
- Serving documents and summons.
- Providing information, records, and technical assistance.
- Making detained persons available to give evidence or assist investigations.
- Facilitating the appearance of witnesses or other individuals.
- Seizing and forfeiting proceeds and instruments of crime.
The treaty enables direct communication between authorities of both countries, bypassing traditional diplomatic channels. This streamlined process facilitates faster and more effective collaboration on urgent investigative and prosecutorial matters.
A key provision of the treaty relates to asset-related enforcement measures. Law enforcement authorities in either country may proactively disclose the presence of proceeds or instruments of crime within their jurisdiction. Upon receiving a formal request, the requested state may trace, investigate, and recover such assets, significantly enhancing efforts to combat transnational crimes such as money laundering and organized crime.
Prior to this agreement with Sri Lanka, the Maldives had signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with India in 2019, making Sri Lanka the second country with which the Maldives has formalized such a treaty.
