Bronze Medalist W.G.K.G. Chandrawathi Dismissed After Seeking Justice
Sri Lanka is once again confronted with the harsh reality of workplace retaliation, this time involving one of its own athletes. Ms. W.G.K.G. Chandrawathi, a long-distance runner who brought home bronze medals in the 5000-meter event at the Asian Premier Athletics Championship in Bangalore, India, has been dismissed from her job at a leading retail chain after using the labour complaint procedure to report workplace grievances. Her dismissal has sparked outrage among labour rights advocates, who see it as a clear act of retaliation and a violation of her dignity as both a worker and a national representative. Chandrawathi’s bronze medal victories were celebrated in national media earlier this year, with her achievements hailed as a source of pride for Sri Lanka. Yet, despite her international recognition, she was terminated from her job after filing a complaint with the Labour Department about unsafe and unfair conditions. “She ran for Sri Lanka. She brought home medals. And now she is punished for speaking out,” said one advocate close to the case. Labour experts warn that her dismissal may violate the Termination of Employment of Workmen Act (TEWA) and the Industrial Disputes Act, which prohibit arbitrary dismissal and protect employees who raise grievances. This case highlights a broader issue: women workers in Sri Lanka often face retaliation when they demand fairness, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and intimidation. Civil society groups and labour advocates are demanding a full investigation by the Labour Department, legal redress through the Labour Tribunal, public accountability from the employer, and stronger protections for whistleblowers and women in retail work. “This is not just about one woman. It is about every worker who fears retaliation for exercising their rights,” said a spokesperson for Metroadd.net’s agent empowerment program. Chandrawathi’s case exposes a painful contradiction: Sri Lanka celebrates its athletes abroad but fails to protect them at home. Her courage in both athletics and advocacy should be honoured, not punished. Sri Lanka must choose: will it honour its heroes or abandon them when they seek justice? The dismissal of W.G.K.G. Chandrawathi is not only a personal injustice — it is a test of our national conscience and our commitment to dignity, fairness, and the rule of law.
By Palitha Ariiyarathna