Former Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Australia Himalee Arunatilaka 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 in her Canberra home from 2016 to 2018, often for more than 14 hours a day, seven days a week.
Despite this schedule, Danaratna was paid only $11,212.70 during the entire employment period, far below the legal minimum wage.
The Court had previously ruled that Arunatilaka violated multiple provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, including failing to provide pay slips, underpaying wages, and forcing Danaratna to work excessive hours.
Arunatilaka was ordered to pay the fine within 60 days. This penalty follows a larger compensation payment of $374,151.90 to Danaratna, awarded in the previous ruling for unpaid wages and entitlements.
Himalee Arunatilaka now serves as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva.
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