Himalee Arunatilaka, former Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner to Australia, has been fined $117,028.80 after the Federal Court found her guilty of mistreating her domestic worker, Priyanka Danaratna.
Danaratna, a Sri Lankan national, worked for Arunatilaka at her Canberra home from 2016 to 2018, often working more than 14 hours a day, seven days a week. Despite the extensive work schedule, Danaratna was paid only $11,212.70 for the entire employment period, significantly below the legal minimum wage.
The Federal Court ruled that Arunatilaka had violated multiple provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, including failing to provide pay slips, underpaying wages, and requiring Danaratna to work excessive hours.
Arunatilaka has been ordered to pay the fine within 60 days. This penalty follows a previous ruling in which Arunatilaka was required to pay $374,151.90 in compensation for unpaid wages and entitlements owed to Danaratna.
Currently, Arunatilaka serves as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
Source – (News 1st)
