HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 South and South East Asia to integrate Humanitarian action organized by the APF and held in Thailand from 02-03 April and 01-03 October 2019. These programmes were especially tailored for staff of national human rights institutions. 7.2. Employment and vacancies The Commission received final approval for all the cadre positions in the approved SoR from the Department of Management Services (DMS) in May 2018. However, it awaited directions on absorption of existing staff to cadre positions to begin the absorption process. Consequent to a series of meetings and consultations held with the National Salaries and Cadre Commission and the DMS in 2019 on this topic, the Commission received directions on the absorption process during last quarter of the year, enabling it to begin the process. The staff of HRCSL was afforded the opportunity to submit appeals in respect of grievances regarding the process of staff absorption.. The Appeals Committee appointed by the HRCSL Board to consider these appeals met on the 5, 13, and 18 December, 2019 and decided to seek further instructions from the DMS and the National Salaries and Cadre Commission prior to responding to the appeals. Following further directions from the DMS, the Committee recommended absorbing the full strength of staff with effect from 01 January 2020 in accordance with the new SOR. The Appeals Committee comprised two HRCSL Commissioners and a retired senior civil servant as an outside member. 7.3. Annual financial statements The Commission received a majority of its funding from the treasury to carry out core activities. The Commission also acknowledges and appreciates the corporation extended by the UNDP, UNHCR, and Swiss Confederation for programmatic work of the Commission in 2019. (Please see 6.4.2 for more information on financial support extended by external donors) 100