Controversy over sexual harassment of local staff at US embassy here

A former senior staffer of the United States Embassy in Colombo alleged that there was sexual harassment by officials there on Sri Lankan female staff, but a spokesman said they would probe the matter if a complaint is made.

Omar Rajaratnam, Information Specialist who quit after many years of service, tweeted, “You can’t school anyone on how to treat women in the workplace @USAmbSLM, when you’ve not stopped harassment of Sri Lankan women by some white American diplomats…. Apologise to the long list of women and those who spoke up.”

The tweet was in response to one by Ambassador Allaina Teplitz which said “1/ 2

Empowered women power economies. Happy to speak: AmChamLK on women in the workplace. Studies show that having more women in the labour force makes nations more prosperous. This is good for society, good for the economy, and good for the nation……..”

The US Embassy spokesman said, “The Department of State is committed to providing a workplace that is free from all types of harassment, or has reason to believe that harassment is occurring. It takes the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is promptly investigated and addressed. These principles are strictly adhered to and enforced at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka.”

However, Mr Rajaratnam, who now works for a foreign news agency at its Colombo office told the Sunday Times, “We made six to seven complaints of sexual harassment as well as racial discrimination of local staff. I did so as head of the local employees’ association. The complaints were ignored or drew no response.”