A/HRC/42/40/Add.1 commissions of inquiry and hopes the cases can be promptly transferred and recorded in the OMP’s case load. The Working Group notes though that further steps are needed to fully meet the recommendations made in relation to the OMP. In particular, the Working Group is concerned at information that the OMP has faced hurdles, which have limited its ability to acquire the necessary resources and to recruit staff in a timely manner. It urges the Government to ensure the OMP is fully recognised by all state agencies as an independent commission, that staff recruitment can proceed promptly, that the technical complexity of the mandate is taken into account in staffing and recruiting regulations. Sufficient funds should be allocated and should not be vulnerable to being diverted. It also notes that some families remain sceptical of the Office and encourages further efforts to reach out to all affected families throughout the country, as well as those living abroad and hopes the further regional, sub-regional and mobile offices planned, as well as the psychosocial responsiveness strategy, can be promptly operationalised. It will also be important that the powers granted to the OMP are effectively implemented in practice. 7. The Working Group regrets that neither a judicial accountability mechanism nor a truth seeking mechanism have been created. It re-iterates the importance of the swift establishment of both mechanisms. With regards to the judicial mechanism, it highlights the importance of integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators. While noting that draft legislation on a future truth commission was presented to the Cabinet, it regrets that draft has not yet been made public or the subject of consultations and that no information was provided on most recommendations related to the body in relation to the inclusion of civil society, a vetting process for Commissioners as well as the Commission’s envisaged resources, capacities and powers. 8. The Office for Reparations has recently been established and funds have been included in the 2019 to support families of the disappeared as a form of interim relief. The Group reiterates its recommendation to develop, as a matter of urgency, a national reparations policy taking into account the specific needs of women and children, as well as a national resettlement policy. The educational needs of the children of disappeared persons should also be prioritised as recommended. 9. The Working Group welcomes information according to which a circular was issued by the Acting Inspector General of the Police to all senior police officers regarding threats, intimidation and harassment, with specific reference to the WGEID recommendation after the country visit. It also welcomes information that a media statement was issued in 2018 providing information on complaints mechanisms. The Group also notes that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police have reiterated their commitment to preventing any form of threats, harassment and intimidation. However, the Working Group notes that civil society organisations do not appear to be aware of such commitments and is extremely concerned by continuing reports of surveillance, threats, intimidation, harassment of relatives of the disappeared and calls on the Government to take urgent action to address these, including investigation of previous and new cases and the prosecution of perpetrators. 10. The Working Group further observes that there remains a climate of impunity in Sri Lanka and a lack of actions envisaged to address this. The Working Group is concerned by the slow pace of criminal investigations, in particular that it remains the case that only a few emblematic cases have reached the trial stage and none have concluded. It is also very concerned by an alleged incident of obstruction by the Office of the Attorney General in the investigation of a case and information that the armed forces continue to intervene in ongoing cases and have delayed or provided inaccurate information in court proceedings. It further notes worrying information received according to which some individuals suspected of having been involved in the commission of enforced disappearances and related offences are being permitted to remain in positions of power including within the armed forces and the police. In this regard, it expresses serious concern at the appointment of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva as Commander of the Sri Lankan Army in August 2019, despite 4