- International Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters is of paramount importance to combat transnational crimes. The Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, No.25 of 2002 provides for the provision of assistance by Sri Lanka to foreign countries in respect of criminal matters in those countries and also for obtaining of similar assistance from such countries by Sri Lanka. The proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa to enter into the above Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation with the view to effectively enforce the laws of two countries on investigation, prosecution and confiscation of criminal proceeds and to ratify the same, was approved by the Cabinet.