HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 - Dr. Lavian Starahan, First Secretary, Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Prof.Ivan Symonavick, Commissioner, International Commission against the Death Penalty 6.4.2 Foreign funding received HRCSL received a majority of its funding from the treasury to carry out core activities. However, the Commission was also able to secure financial support for its activities through collaborations fostered between the HRCSL and international development partners. As such, HRCSL acknowledges and appreciates the cooperation extended by the UNDP, UNHCR, and the Government of the Swiss Confederation for programmatic work of the Commission in 2019, which enabled the Commission to carry out its mandate effectively. The Swiss Confederation continued to support the clearing of the backlog of inquiries. The backlog of complaints contributed to the lack of public confidence in the Commission and the existing trust deficit. Through the grant, the Commission was able to garner resources to tackle the complaints backlog and provide remedies to complainants. This enabled the Commission to increase public confidence and trust in the institution, and also illustrate its ability to respond to the needs and concerns of the people of Sri Lanka, which is integral to its effectiveness. UNHCR supported a project aimed at strengthening sub-offices through the provision of infrastructure as well as capacity building. The objective of the project was to enable and strengthen the access that populations in Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Puttalam, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups to the HRCSL to seek remedies for human rights issues, including violations of fundamental rights. The UNHCR also supported the mobile clinics conducted by the Commission in the regions during 2019. The UNDP extended financial cooperation for several programmatic activities such as the national Prison Study, and outreach activities 95