The government of Maldives is to sign the treaty on “Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters" with the government of Sri Lanka.

The decision was announced by the President’s Office on Sunday.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu reached the decision following a meeting he held with his Cabinet of Ministers on Sunday.

As such, the president is to submit 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 People’s Majlis for approval.

The decision stemmed from discussions on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Sunday’s cabinet meeting.

The treaty aims to maintain the long-standing relationship between Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Further, it aims to provide mutual support and cooperation in combating criminal offenses.

The governments of Maldives and Sri Lanka will assist in a wide range of criminal cases, in compliance with their respective laws and regulations, as well as the provisions of the treaty.

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