1.0 INTRODUCTION The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRC) was established in 1996 by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 21 of 1996. The Act sets out the legal basis and operational principles of the HRC. The HRC is referred to in the Constitution of Sri Lanka but it is not formally established by the Constitution. The Chairperson and Members of the Commission are appointed under Constitutional provisions. The Act defines the HRC‟s jurisdiction in terms of fundamental rights and human rights. Fundamental rights are certain civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights guaranteed in Chapter III of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Human rights are defined in international law. The statutory functions of the Commission are:      to inquire into, and investigate, complaints relating to procedures, or infringements or imminent infringements of fundamental rights to ensure compliance with the provisions of Constitution and to provide for resolution through conciliation and mediation to advise and assist the government in formulating legislation and administrative directives and procedures to promote and protect fundamental rights to make recommendations to the Government to ensure that national laws and administrative practices are in accordance with international human rights norms and standards to make recommendations to Government on the subscribing or acceding to treaties and other international human rights instruments to promote awareness of, and provide education in relation to, human rights. (Section.10 of Act No. 21 of 1996) The Commission functioned with 159 staff members. The Commission has Inquiries and Investigations, Education & Special Programmes, Research & Monitoring and Administration and Finance Divisions and 10 regional offices (Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kalmunai, Kandy, Matara, Trincomalee and Vavuniya) to carry out its functions. The Chairperson and /or a Commissioner/ Commissioners supervise each Division and Regional Offices. Each Division is headed by a Director. 7