A former Sri Lankan deputy high commissioner owes her "domestic worker" nearly $500,000 after failing to pay the woman – who worked seven days a week – any regular wages between 2015 and 2018, the Federal Court has ruled.
In an extraordinary case, Himalee Arunatilaka must pay Priyanka Danaratna $374,000 in unpaid wages plus $169,000 in interest after Federal Court judge Elizabeth Raper's ruling.
Ms Danaratna worked from 6am to 10pm most days, and performed all domestic duties in the deputy high commissioner's house in Canberra including cooking, cleaning, washing and preparing for parties.
She was not allowed to leave the residence unless permitted, but from time to time was allowed to "go for a short walk around the neighbourhood".
The only two days off she had were to attend hospital after badly burning her hand while cooking. In total, Ms Arunatilaka paid Ms Danaratna just $10,183.81, plus a final payment of $1028.89.
Representing Ms Danaratna, Clayton Utz pro bono partner David Hillard said this "is not an isolated case".
"It is hard to conceive of someone in 21st century Australia literally being trapped in a job for three years and earning 65 cents an hour," he said.
"This decision by Justice Raper, along with the upcoming penalties hearing against Ms Himalee Arunatilaka, spells out clearly that these workers have rights in Australia, and that senior diplomats cannot hide behind diplomatic immunity when it comes to keeping their servants under slave-like arrangements."
Ms Arunatilaka did not participate in the court case at all or respond to any allegations, according to the judgment.
