Hirunika goes to the High Commissioner to cause trouble for Australian citizen Suda.

Opposition politician Hirunika Premachandra yesterday (03) lodged a complaint with the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka regarding a serious sexual harassment incident against veteran journalist Ms. Dilka Samanmali via a YouTube channel. She pointed out that Sudantha Thilaksiri, who operates the YouTube channel named 'Suda Creations', made this defamatory statement based on a political opinion posted by Ms. Dilka Samanmali on her social media account.

Although she is not currently active in the media field, this attack on her right to express her views as an ordinary citizen has caused considerable unrest among journalists and women in Sri Lanka.

Regarding this incident, Ms. Dilka Samanmali's father also filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department in Sri Lanka before departing for Australia. Both her parents are Australian citizens, and both the aggrieved Ms. Dilka Samanmali and Sudantha Thilaksiri, who made the statement, hold permanent residency (PR) in Australia. Considering the legal situation in Sri Lanka, there is a possibility of taking legal action against such online defamation and sexual harassment under the Women's Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, provisions under Section 365 of the Penal Code, and the Online Safety Act of 2024. However, Ms. Premachandra also points out that a problem has arisen in obtaining relief through the Women's Commission, as its chairperson has resigned, stating that she cannot act independently under the current government.

Under Australian law, such online defamation and threats are considered very serious offenses. Under Commonwealth law, there is a possibility of a prison sentence of three to five years for defaming a woman, and seven to ten years for making statements that constitute online sexual harassment or a threat to life. Furthermore, such anti-social acts directly impact the 'Character test' conducted when granting Australian citizenship to permanent residents, potentially leading to failure. Accordingly, a severe risk has been created for the individual's visa to be canceled and for them to be deported from the country under Australian immigration law.

Given the strict enforcement of laws concerning women in Australia, Ms. Dilka Samanmali and her family members have already lodged a complaint with the Australian Federal Police regarding this incident and are taking steps to officially inform the Australian government by sending a letter. Ms. Hirunika Premachandra further emphasized that while politicians are accustomed to facing such verbal attacks, the enforcement of the law against this harassment of a woman, regardless of the party Ms. Dilka Samanmali represented or the institution she worked for, will set an important precedent for the future.