HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2018 compliance with the Paris Principles, as an A status institution, HRCSL can also participate in the work and decision-making of GANHRI, as well as the work of the Human Rights Council and other UN mechanisms. 2.1.2. Investigations and inquiries As in previous years, the Commission assisted a plethora of people through its individual complaints mechanism and suo motu action (see chapter 3 for more details on types of complaints). While the Commission was able to provide assistance in many cases, where the Commission felt it was not the most appropriate forum for the grievance, complainants were directed to the appropriate institution for remedies. As much as the Commission is empowered by Section 15 of its parent statute to issue recommendations directing authorities to take action to remedy violations of human rights, the Commission also attempts to facilitate settlement of disputes through mediation and conciliation by providing a forum for all parties to an issue to come together and discuss their issues and identify redress quickly and informally. In 2018, the Commission received 6641 complaints and concluded 5687 cases (which includes complaints accepted in previous years). Out of the 5687 concluded cases the Commission was able to successfully mediate settlements in 628 cases. The Commission issued 93 recommendations in response to individual complaints made to the Commission, which is a significant increase from the previous years, i.e. 44 in 2016 and 84 in 2017. This is reflective of the organizational changes executed within the Commission in order to respond to violations efficiently and promptly and investments made in training of staff to contribute more competently. In addition, the I&I division streamlined accepting complaints on alleged incidents of torture, and illegal arrest and detention through the Commission’s 24-hour hotline in order to strengthen its interventions in these incidents. The division made many successful interventions in 26