Alarming rise in online pornography involving underage Sri Lankans

Technology available in countries such as US is critical in tracing origin of such contents 

Police keep receiving complaints daily

The Cabinet has approved the introduction of amendments to the Penal Code criminalizing all forms of sexual harassment

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

An alarming increase in the number of cases involving online pornographic content featuring underage Sri Lankans is being reported, according to a senior police officer.  

The police have been receiving information on these incidents on a daily basis, raising serious concerns about the safety and protection of minors in the digital space.  

The officer who wished to remain anonymous said such cases are reported constantly, and the police institute legal action through courts. Also, the officer said certain cases had been referred to the Attorney General for further advice.  

The modern technology that can trace the origin of such content is available in countries such as the United States.  

“We have a database. Once such cases are identified elsewhere in the world, the database is updated. Once such content is shared by using the facility available on smartphones, there is technology which can trace where the content originated from. We get information updated on our database accordingly,” the officer said.  

In reference to a recent such incident, a person in Embilipitiya was arrested and released after he shared the content involving a small girl of one of his neighbours that has been released online. The content had been detected in the United States. 

The case is now pending before court after being referred to the Attorney General.  Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved the introduction of amendments to the Penal Code criminalizing all forms of sexual harassment including sexual harassment in public places. The clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the draft Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman accordingly. The proposal was made by Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to publish it in the Government Gazette ahead of presentation in the House.