Parliament has today approved entering an agreement on collaboration with Sri Lanka on criminal investigations.
Parliament has today approved entering an agreement on collaboration with Sri Lanka on criminal investigations.
In today's vote in parliament, 72 MPs voted unanimously in favour of this motion.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had sent a letter earlier this month seeking parliament approval for signing this agreement.
The letter said the agreement is being made to further strengthen ties between the countries, and to provide mutual assistance in criminal investigation cases.
It said that the government had decided on June 2 to enter 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', and added that parliament approval is needed to do so.
Under the agreement, maximum assistance will be provided to investigate criminal cases within the laws and regulations of each country, and to carry out the criminal justice process.
Foreign Relations Committee Chair Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer, when presenting the committee's decision in parliament today, said that this agreement includes important factors to further strengthen the criminal justice system in Maldives.
Zareer said that under the agreement, the Prosecutor General will act as the central authority which requests for collaboration.
All costs will be borne by the nation which makes the request, Zareer said.