HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 2.1. Key achievements This Chapter provides a summary of some of the Commission’s key achievements in the year 2019. 2.1.1. 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 2019, the Commission received 8983 complaints and concluded 5096 cases (which includes complaints accepted in previous years). Out of the 5096 concluded cases the Commission was able to successfully mediate settlements in 635 cases. The Commission issued 77 recommendations in response to individual complaints made to the Commission. While a slight decrease from the 94 recommendations issued in 2018, it could be explained by the security situation in the aftermath of the 21 April attack which necessitated the increased intervention of the Commission in related matters which necessarily diverted the attention of relevant officials. The many successful interventions made in the aftermath of the 26