HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 2.1. Key achievements This Chapter provides a summary of some of the Commission’s key achievements in the year 2020. 2.1.1. Investigations and inquiries As in previous years, the Commission assisted a plethora of people through its individual complaints mechanism and suo motu action (see chapter 3 for more details on types of complaints). While the Commission was able to provide assistance in many cases, where the Commission felt it was not the most appropriate forum for the grievance, complainants were directed to the appropriate institution for remedies. As much as the Commission is empowered by Section 15 of its parent statute to issue recommendations directing authorities to take action to remedy violations of human rights, the Commission also attempts to facilitate settlement of disputes through mediation and conciliation by providing a forum for all parties to an issue to come together and discuss their issues and identify redress quickly and informally. In 2020, the Commission received 6417 complaints and concluded 3657 cases (which includes complaints accepted in previous years). Out of the 3657 concluded cases the Commission was able to successfully mediate settlements in 635 cases. The Commission issued 60 recommendations in response to individual complaints made to the Commission. While it is a decrease from previous years, it could be explained by the office closures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased intervention of the Commission in related matters such as monitoring activities which necessarily diverted the attention of relevant officials. 23