Australian court rules: Himalee not at fault

Addressing the media, Minister Herath explained that Sri Lankan diplomats stationed abroad are permitted assistants or domestic workers as part of their official duties, with salaries paid by the Sri Lankan Government based on the country’s economic situation. He noted that these wages are significantly lower than those offered in countries like Australia or Europe, leading to disputes when measured against local labor laws.

The domestic worker in question, Priyanka Danaratna, was employed under Sri Lankan protocol and taken to Australia by Arunatilaka. However, an Australian Federal Court found Arunatilaka guilty of underpaying Danaratna, awarding $374,000 in unpaid wages, $169,000 in interest, and an additional $117,000 as a penalty. Reports revealed that Danaratna worked up to 16 hours daily for nearly three years, earning less than 90 cents a day.

Minister Herath emphasized that Arunatilaka followed the salary guidelines set by the Sri Lankan Government and had not acted improperly under Sri Lankan laws. However, he acknowledged that the situation highlighted discrepancies between Sri Lanka’s wage policies and foreign labor regulations.

The Foreign Minister expressed regret over the incident and assured that the Sri Lankan Government would review its policies to prevent similar issues for diplomats in the future. Himalee Arunatilaka, now serving as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, has left Australia.

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