HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2020  Granting of a Presidential Pardon to Former Army Corporal Sunil Ratnayake By letter dated 29 March 2020, the HRCSL expressed it deep concern on the reported grant of a Presidential Pardon to Corporal Sunil Ratnayake who was convicted of eight counts of murder by a Trial-at-Bar and which conviction was subsequently confirmed by a unanimous judgment of a fivejudge bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on 24 April 2019. The Commission stated that its concern stems from the serious nature of the charges brought by the Hon. Attorney- General against Mr. Ratnayaka, which included the killing of three children, and the strength of the Supreme Court judgment which upheld the conviction. It further stated that the granting of a presidential pardon to a person convicted of such a heinous offence and whose conviction was upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court sends a negative message that reinforces allegations of impunity and lack of justice for victims of violations in Sri Lanka. Further, the Commission opined that it has been resolute in its opposition to the death penalty and has repeatedly called for its abolition and replacement with suitable alternate punishment, and the expression of concern about the pardon in this instance does not in any manner amount to an acceptance of the death penalty. It stated that a commutation of the death penalty to long term imprisonment would have been acceptable given the serious nature of the offence.  Interventions to ensure a free and fair election at the Parliamentary election 2020 The Commission made several interventions to ensure that the parliamentary election 2020 was a free and fair process that left no one behind. Please see 4.4.2 for details of interventions. 2.3. Other advocacy for reform  An appeal to the public regarding the COVID-19 pandemic The Commission issued an appeal to the public requesting the general public to act with determination and self-restraint to overcome to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is the greatest challenge facing 34