35. Assistance to Convention States &c

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

(1)

The provisions of the Mutual Assistance in

Criminal Matters Act, No. 25 of 2002 shall, wherever it is necessary for the investigation and prosecution of an offence under this Act, be applicable in respect of the providing of assistance as between the Government of Sri Lanka and other

States who are either Commonwealth countries specified by the Minister by Order under section 2 of the aforesaid

Act or Non-Commonwealth countries with which the

Government of Sri Lanka entered into an agreement in terms of the aforesaid Act.

(2)

In the case of a country which is neither a

Commonwealth country specified by the Minister by Order under section 2 of the aforesaid Act nor a Non-Commonwealth country with which the Government of Sri Lanka entered into an agreement in terms of the aforesaid Act, then it shall be the duty of the Government to afford all such assistance to, and may through the Minister request all such assistance from, a convention country, as may be necessary for the investigation and prosecution of an offence under this Act

(including assistance relating to the taking of evidence and statements, the serving of process and the conduct of searches).

(3)

The grant of assistance in terms of this section may be made subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister thinks fit.

Read on from s 36