HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 Writing to the IGP following the 21 April terror attacks, the Commission emphasized that the main challenge facing the society at this point in time was to prevent religious division and resulting violence as well as promoting communal harmony. HRCSL identified that its main duty was to prevent serious violations of human rights that would result from such tensions and violence and stated that the head office and the ten regional offices of the Commission will liaise with regional civil society organizations and relevant State institutions in order to make interventions in areas where there is unrest based on religious divisions and to act as a body to facilitate communication among those communities. The Commission also pledged to intensify previous measures taken by the Commission to promote communal harmony and peaceful co-existence. At the same time, the Commission urged the Police Department, which is empowered by the law to prevent such violent activities, to give primary attention to investigations to identify the perpetrators of these crimes. At the same time, the Commission recognized that violence could be instigated by anti-social elements who, for personal revenge or narrow political gains, wish to exploit the tense situation that has arisen in the country and requested to Police to be mindful of this. ▪ Observations and recommendations regarding the incidents of communal violence which broke out in the North-Western Province and Minuwangoda Town The Commission wrote to the IGP stating its observations and recommendations regarding the incidents of communal violence that broke out on 12 and 13 May 2019. The Commission observed that no preventive measures have been taken although retaliatory violence against the Muslim communities was a distinct possibility after the terror attacks of 21 April. HRCSL emphasized the role and responsibility of the police in ensuring that equal protection of the law is provided to the affected citizens and to the public at large. The Commission recommended the IGP to take immediate corrective actions such as the need to take heed of early warning signs; urgently provide crowd control 35