September 02, Colombo (LNW): In a significant step towards enhancing legal collaboration, the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), recently hosted negotiations in Manila to finalise a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and a Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TTSP) with Sri Lanka.
The talks were part of a broader effort to bolster bilateral legal frameworks, with discussions also encompassing an extradition treaty.
Both nations tentatively agreed to hold the next round of negotiations in Colombo next year, reflecting their commitment to deepening judicial cooperation.
The successful conclusion of the negotiations was marked by the signing of the agreed minutes in the presence of Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Philippines, Chanaka Talpahewa.
The Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr.), with key legal and diplomatic officials including Additional Secretary (Legal) Piyumanthi Peiris from the Ministry of Justice and Assistant Legal Adviser Sanjika Kammanankada from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the Philippine side, the delegation was led by DoJ Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan, accompanied by Assistant Chief State Counsel Mildred Bernadette Alvor and several other state counsels.
The DFA was represented by Directors Shiela Mae Briones and Ameroden Daudey Tago from the Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs, alongside Assistant Director Bojer Capati from the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs.
The discussions reflect a shared commitment to enhancing legal cooperation, with the MLAT and TTSP expected to streamline mutual legal assistance and the transfer of sentenced individuals between the two countries, thereby strengthening the legal ties that bind the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
*With inputs from The Manila Times
