The Federal Court in Australia has ordered a former Sri Lankan diplomat, Himalee Arunatilaka, to pay over half a million Australian dollars in back wages to her former housekeeper, Priyanka Danaratna. Danaratna was paid just three percent of the minimum wage in Australia during her employment. Despite fleeing the diplomat’s residence and filing a civil case, Arunatilaka failed to engage in the legal proceedings, resulting in a ruling against her.
The court found Arunatilaka guilty of breaching the Fair Work Act and ordered her to pay the outstanding wages and interest, totaling over half a million dollars. This case sheds light on the exploitation faced by vulnerable employees trapped in modern slavery situations.
Arunatilaka, who now serves as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, denied any wrongdoing, with the Sri Lankan foreign ministry backing her. However, the court’s decision underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for labor exploitation, regardless of their diplomatic status.
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