President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as the Minister of Defense has presented the proposal to the cabinet for approval.

According to the Co-Cabinet spokesman, Minister Gayantha Karunathilake, the agreement "will provide the opportunity to request the authorities in Ukraine to receive criminals who have engaged in illegal activities in this country and sought protection in Ukraine."

The treaty comes at a time when the Sri Lankan government is attempting to arrest a fugitive envoy currently believed to be in Ukraine.

The government has sought arrest and deportation of Sri Lanka's former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, who is a nephew of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, over several allegations including that the envoy supplied weapons to a terrorist group in Ukraine and the death of an embassy employee.