A/HRC/40/23 officials, particularly in several ministries, the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms, the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation and the Human Rights Commission, who have relentlessly endeavoured to push the human rights and reconciliation agenda forward. 63. The importance of the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary and other checks and balances in a democratic society was highlighted by a number of situations in 2018. The judiciary and independent commissions, including the Human Rights Commission, continue to play a vital role in strengthening reforms and cementing good governance in Sri Lanka. 64. The lack of progress shows that the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka should remain firmly on the agenda of the Human Rights Council. The High Commissioner therefore urges the Council to remain closely engaged with the Government of Sri Lanka and to continue to monitor developments in the country. 65. In particular, the High Commissioner highlights the recommendations below, and reiterates some already made in previous reports. A. Government of Sri Lanka 66. The High Commissioner recommends that the Government of Sri Lanka: (a) Implement the recommendations made in the report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms to frame and guide all future transitional justice processes, and to continue engagement with the public in the design of such mechanisms; (b) Prepare a comprehensive strategy on transitional justice, with a timebound plan to implement the pending commitments made within the context of Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and the recommendations made in the present and previous reports of the High Commissioner submitted to the Council; (c) Invite OHCHR to establish a full-fledged country office to monitor the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, to advise on the implementation of the recommendations made by the High Commissioner, the Human Rights Council and other human rights mechanisms, and to provide technical assistance; (d) Invite the Special Rapporteur on truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence to continue the engagement under his mandate in the above-mentioned process; the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to examine allegations of torture and related human rights violations; and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to visit Sri Lanka and to provide expert advice, including on relevant reforms. 67. With regard to institutional reforms, the High Commissioner recommends that the Government: (a) Publicly issue unequivocal instructions to all branches of the military, intelligence and police forces that torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations are prohibited, and will be investigated and punished; and order all security forces to immediately end all forms of surveillance and harassment of and reprisals against human rights defenders, social actors and victims of human rights violations; (b) Develop a full-fledged vetting process, respecting due process, in order to remove from office security personnel and other public officials involved in human rights violations; implement other reforms of the security sector to strengthen accountability and civilian oversight; and apply stringent screening procedures for units and individuals applying to serve in United Nations peace operations; (c) Establish an independent mechanism to determine specific cases in which land must be allocated for military use owing to security reasons, and identify appropriate compensation or substitution for land owners or occupants; 13