HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 In 2019 the Commission continued to actively communicate and cooperate with international and regional human rights organizations and protection mechanisms in promoting compliance with international human rights obligations of Sri Lanka as required by the Commission’s statutory mandate. The Commission received visits by Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and Dr. Ahamad Shahid, the UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom on their visits to Sri Lanka. The chairperson and Commissioners discussed issues of mutual relevance with the special mandate holders, and acknowledged certain issues highlighted by them as needing immediate responses. The end of mission statement of the Special Rapporteur on The Rights To Freedom Of Peaceful Assembly And Association acknowledged the tireless work of the Commission in the following manner: “Everywhere I went, I heard repeated praise for the unrelenting work of the Human Rights Commission, which now holds an A-status according to the Paris Principles, in defence of all human rights for all”. The Report on the “Preliminary Findings of Country Visit To Sri Lanka By The Special Rapporteur on Freedom Of Religion or Belief” acknowledged HRCSL obtaining A-status international accreditation by the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) as a positive development in the country. 6.2. Strengthening ties with Regional Human Rights Alliances As customary, the Commission participated in the Annual General Meeting of the APF held in Seoul, South Korea in September 2019. The APF is the regional umbrella organization for National Human Rights Institutions that provides technical support. HRCSL is a member of the APF and could participate in decision making at the 2019 AGM as an ‘A’ 92