HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 2.5. Challenges Despite its achievements, the activities of the Commission were hampered by long-standing challenges. The main challenge was the shortage of staff to carry out the activities of the Commission. As the call for applications in 2018 for the five (05) positions of directors did not attract qualified candidates, the capacity of the Commission to function effectively was impacted negatively. . Existing staff of the Commission too need further capacity development on knowledge and skills in order to contribute to the work of the Commission efficiently and effectively. Another recurrent challenge for the Commission was administrative difficulties encountered due to archaic administrative and financial regulations in the public sector and the lack of innovative administrative solutions to address these problems which prevented the Commission from achieving progress on administrative matters at the level anticipated. Further, despite the existence of a specialized unit of the I&I division which followed up on implementation of HRCSL recommendations, noncompliance by public officials of a considerable percentage of recommendations remained a perennial concern. This adversely impacted the Commission in fully realizing its mandate to protect human rights. The Commission remained committed to its position that seeking an amendment to the parent Act in order to have its recommendations implemented by the courts was not the solution to non-implementation as it would burden the parties with legal fees and protracted delays. The Commission is of the view that seeking disciplinary action against errant officials was the best method of ensuring compliance. 42