Judge finds Himalee Arunatilaka’s treatment of worker from 2015 to 2018 in ‘egregious and exploitative’ after diplomat fails to engage court
Himalee Arunatilaka served as Sri Lanka’s deputy high commissioner to Australia from 2015 to 2018, during which she paid a domestic worker less than 65 cents an hour.Himalee Arunatilaka served as Sri Lanka’s deputy high commissioner to Australia from 2015 to 2018, during which she paid a domestic worker less than 65 cents an hour.
She worked from 6am to 10pm on a “normal day”, but when the deputy high commissioner was entertaining, she would not finish until 1am. Danaratna had her passport taken from her, and was not allowed to leave the house, except when given permission to take short walks in the neighbourhood. Arunatilaka has refused to engage with the court process in Australia. She did not file any evidence with the court or appear at any hearings.Previously, for an exploited worker to access the Australian government-funded Support for Trafficked People Program they had to be referred by a law enforcement agency .
Domestic workers are often accompanied by their employer to their annual meeting with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where they might feel unwilling to speak up near or in the presence of the person who brought them into the country, Moore says. David Hillard, pro bono partner at Clayton Utz, which has run successful cases before the federal court on behalf of exploited diplomatic domestic workers, says the onus to protect and properly pay domestic staff should be a condition of a diplomat’s visa and right to work in Australia.
The Sri Lankan government has also rejected the court’s judgments. In response to the court’s first judgment, it accused Danaratna of absconding, and said it was “satisfied that the said salary was paid to the domestic assistant by the
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sri Lankan women's cricket captain Chamari Athapaththu calls Australia 'home from home'Sri Lankan cricket allrounder Chamari Athapaththu has been a key player in the Sydney Thunder's run to Sunday's WBBL Grand Final. The 34 year old has extended her contract which runs for another two seasons and her army of fans are only set to grow if she can keep performing on the biggest stage.
Read more »
Australia receives tough Davis Cup draw with former superpower Sweden first opponentLleyton Hewitt's Australian team will meet old foes Sweden, away, then face Belgium or Chile, in the qualifying rounds for the Davis Cup final 8.
Read more »
Former NRL boss Todd Greenberg becomes Cricket Australia’s new CEO7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Former ambassador to US accuses unnamed Sky News Australia presenters of campaign against Kevin RuddDennis Richardson claims an effort to ‘make Rudd’s life untenable’ is at play, despite others also criticising Donald Trump in the past
Read more »
Former Rugby Coach Alan Jones Visits Police Station as Australia Faces Record HeatRetired Sydney broadcaster and former Australian national rugby coach Alan Jones walks past waiting media as he leaves a police station in Sydney amid rising temperatures in Australia. The country is experiencing one of the hottest summers on record. Additionally, protesters, swimmers, and athletes are seen around Sydney and Melbourne, including kayaking protesters held back by police, swimmers at Clovelly beach, and athletes participating in the ISPS Handa Australian Open and Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
Read more »
Australia’s former national security watchdog accuses successor of bowing to pressure from attorney generalExclusive: Grant Donaldson faults Independent Security Legislation Monitor Jake Blight for ‘clarification’ to old annual report which criticised Mark Dreyfus
Read more »