Closer ties: Sri Lankan Secretary to the Ministry of Justice & Law Reforms Suhada Gamalath and Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee exchange documents after signing the pact on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Hong Kong and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. It is Hong Kong's 25th pact with other jurisdictions.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee and Sri Lankan Secretary to the Ministry of Justice & Law Reforms Suhada Gamalath signed the document today. It covers:

* identifying and locating people;

* serving documents;

* obtaining statements and evidence from people;

* executing requests for search and seizure;

* facilitating the personal appearance of people to provide assistance;

* effecting the temporary transfer of people in custody to provide assistance;

* providing information, documents, articles and records;

* tracing, restraining, forfeiting and confiscating the proceeds and instrumentalities of criminal activities;

* delivery of property, including the restitution of property and lending of exhibits; and,

* other assistance.