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Sri Lankan in Australia rejected for job because of brown-skin

5 August 2016 02:23 pm - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Sydney advertising agency has been forced to apologise after a job applicant who is a Sri Lankan Australian, claimed she was told that she was 'too brown' to be hired, Daily Mail Australia reported on Friday.  

Surungi Emily Hohol said she was 'livid' at the 'injustice of racism' following a job interview with creative advertising company Banjo.

'I had an interview at a creative ad agency in Sydney and was told that due to being brown and Indian (though I'm Sri Lankan) and have lived in Australia for 27 years, I wouldn't be suitable for the role as they already had two other Indian people,' she posted on Facebook.

Ms. Hohol said she was told the agency's clients 'might be alarmed by having three brown skinned people attend a meeting'.

However, Banjo had released a statement apologising and said the comments were 'taken out of context'.

'In the course of expanding the account management team at Banjo, an unfortunate misunderstanding has occurred during an interview with a candidate, for which Banjo would like to offer an unreserved apology,' Banjo CEO Andrew Varasdi said in the statement.

'The senior staff member who conducted what was a very positive interview, made a casual remark at the end of the interview, which was intended to set the person at ease.

'Unfortunately it was taken out of context and has since gained some notoriety on social media. Needless to say, the Banjo staff member is deeply upset by the incident.


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  Comments - 31

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  • garawi Friday, 05 August 2016 05:49 PM

    If you do not have connections and money you are second grade citizen in your own Sri Lanka too! Am I wrong? It was very clear during the previous regime and it still continues to a large extent!

    Nihal Amarasekera Saturday, 06 August 2016 08:58 AM

    Most comments are out of context. Whatever, we feel as citizens, in Mother Lanka and we breath free, forget the politics. We feel we belong to us.

    palle Friday, 05 August 2016 09:13 PM

    This one sided story is hard to believe. No employer will dare to state such a racist comments so openly as it is an offence covered by the racial discrimination act.

    sss Friday, 05 August 2016 08:36 PM

    This is after her best efforts to look like a white person

    shairaz Friday, 05 August 2016 08:22 PM

    what about the situation in sri lnaka were people get refused to get job since there are not from pera or mora, and discriminated at jobs, because they do not belong to the same background. and also they do not understand this is a discrimination, and they think they are doing a great job to protect their gatta. ... ;)

    Niv Friday, 05 August 2016 08:20 PM

    Not just jobs, cant even complain, or talk in tamil at gov departments. Gov nt even write tamil in name boards properly... lol

    clueless Friday, 05 August 2016 06:54 PM

    at least lets beat the aussies convincingly tomorrow in cricket. its hard to stop some kind of racism in a very multicultural society. via DM Android App

    ANTON Friday, 05 August 2016 06:44 PM

    CAPITAL GIBBERISH

    shafraz Friday, 05 August 2016 06:44 PM

    In srilanka minorities facing same thing while getting jobs.

    Lanka Friday, 05 August 2016 06:24 PM

    Very soon we will become part of India....

    Karu Friday, 05 August 2016 06:23 PM

    they might said " you r black "

    sss Friday, 05 August 2016 06:14 PM

    To stop fascist LTTE activity

    Sim Friday, 05 August 2016 05:57 PM

    Why are so many Sinhalese going to Australia, Canada and other countries to settle down after studying in the poor tax payers money.

    sss Friday, 05 August 2016 05:54 PM

    In SL all appointments are strictly on merits. For example Susanthika only the second Olympic winner could not get a job in the sport ministry.

    garawi Friday, 05 August 2016 05:52 PM

    Yes, when I told an Ugandan that I am not Indian , he said well it is the same! I was angry! Though I knew he is Ugandan I asked if he is Tanzanian. He said NO, I am Ugandan! I retorted 'WELL IT IS THE SAME @. He got the message!

    sss Friday, 05 August 2016 05:52 PM

    Of course. You go to a police station to lodge a compliant and the if the offender happens to be a friend of a politico you are the one arrested

    Maduka Friday, 05 August 2016 02:42 PM

    See what Indian has done to us!

    TJ Friday, 05 August 2016 05:48 PM

    2nd grade in first class country and 1st grade in 3rd class country.

    wi Friday, 05 August 2016 05:47 PM

    It already has two brown skinned people. So how can the company be racist! Yes it has been taken out of context! I agree with the firm. Australians are generally not racists, I know as I live there too!

    Ceylonese - Sydney Friday, 05 August 2016 05:47 PM

    In Australia Sri Lankans are referred to as Indians by their colour while the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese etc. are identified as Asians. Currently the majority of immigrants to Australia come from India.

    jehan Friday, 05 August 2016 05:34 PM

    Live with it, your color will be the first impression.You can call your self australian/british etc only passport.

    CAPITALpunishment Friday, 05 August 2016 05:30 PM

    STOP SHOUTING!

    lol Friday, 05 August 2016 05:26 PM

    racism exists because of u people!

    Jey Friday, 05 August 2016 05:25 PM

    Always major ethnic group try to persecute minority. This is common all over the world. When you become minority you feel the pain. via DM Android App

    Realist Friday, 05 August 2016 05:18 PM

    So you mean to say you're treated as a first class citizen in your native Ceylon? Oh please! Walk into any store and see who the clerk serves first. You or the white skinned tourist? Truth if the matter is that the Ceylonese aren't important anywhere, including in Ceylon itself.

    gdj100 Friday, 05 August 2016 05:09 PM

    There are many ways to make a candidate feel at ease after an interview but certainly not making a racist remark. That's a lame excuse from a CEO or even a clerical staff member.

    ANTON Friday, 05 August 2016 04:46 PM

    I THINK AUSTRALIAN'S BLOOD IS ALSO WHITE IN COLOUR.

    Dayawathie Friday, 05 August 2016 04:06 PM

    Maduka. you must understand the moment you step out of Sri Lanka and go to another country everyone thinks you are Indian. The first question people ask is "what part of India you come from" or some have the audacity to say that "well, Sri Lanka is part of India. Isn't it ?.".

    Citizen Friday, 05 August 2016 03:54 PM

    Was it mistaken identity?

    Sena Friday, 05 August 2016 03:07 PM

    Nothing beats living in your motherland. You are always a second grade citizen in a foreign country. via DM Android App

    desh Friday, 05 August 2016 03:00 PM

    You are a fool.


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