HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA - Annual report 2020 5.4.6 Training for civil society During 2020, the Commission strived to conduct training and sensitization programmes for members of the civil society despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a snapshot of such trainings: - An awareness-raising programme on principles of Human Rights International Human Rights standards and the Sri Lankan legal framework on disability rights organized by the Matara Regional Office was held on 27 February 2020 for the benefit of persons with disabilities. - Training Programme on Reconciliation and Good Governance for religious leaders and members of the community organized by the Kalmunai Regional Office was held on 27 June 2020 in Kalmunai. In addition, a wide cross section of people such as school and university students, Officers of armed forces, police officers, government officials, and representatives of non-governmental organizations call over at the Commission in person to collect Human Rights publications such as handbills and posters published by the Commission. In such instances, the Commission welcomes the opportunity to conduct awareness raisingdiscussions for these groups of persons at its premises. Even though the Commission conducted some sessions during 2020, such opportunities were few due to the pandemic. 5.5 Mentoring The Commission continued the HRCSL internship programme which was revived in 2017 due to the conviction that investing in the youth of the country, especially in the promotion and protection of human rights, is a right step forward. Applications were called from undergraduates and recent graduates of any discipline to serve on a voluntary basis throughout 2020. The objective of the programme was to give the successful candidates exposure to the role of HRCSL, promotion and protection activities of the Commission including research, and to foster commitment to public interest activities in the youth. The internships were for a minimum period of 3 83