HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 government institutions were called to account for the nonimplementation of multiple recommendations at once. While this highlighted the extent of non-implementation thereby justifying the intervention by the Commission, officials were also more responsive as the Commission was able to dispense with summoning officials multiple times with regards to the non-implementation of different recommendations. As a result of the efforts of the Non-implementation Unit, many of the institutions have taken cognizance of these directions and have responded to the Commission setting out the initiatives they have taken to implement the said recommendations. The year 2019 continued to show a gradual increase in the implementation of recommendations from previous years, which is a testimony to the success of the Unit. 4.4. Other Monitoring activities Under its mandate, the Commission is empowered to visit places of detention to monitor the wellbeing of detainees and to make recommendations to improve conditions of detention with the objective of ensuring the rights of detainees are respected and protected. Exercising its powers, the Commission conducts unannounced (surprise) visits to places of detention throughout the year. These visits are carried out by the head office as well as by regional offices. Apart from regular monitoring of police stations, the Commission also visits other places of detention such as prisons, remand homes, receiving homes, rehabilitation centers, homes for children, homes for the disabled, and immigration detention centers. The Commission conducts unannounced visits throughout the week, including the weekend, and conducts investigations into allegations of torture and illegal treatment made by detainees during these visits. 4.4.1. Monitoring places of detention and care homes 70