State-owned broadcaster Independent Television Network (ITN) has come under heavy criticism after one of its weekend teledramas allegedly included a clip of child pornography material.

Social media users were quick to point out that the episode, aired over the weekend, featured a blurred but identifiable clip of a child pornography video.

In Sri Lanka, using children for the production, distribution, or possession of pornographic content is a serious criminal offense under Section 286A of the Penal Code, as well as under the Obscene Publications Ordinance. Even uploading pornographic content of foreign origin is considered a punishable crime.

The controversial episode was also uploaded to ITN’s official YouTube channel. Despite public outcry, the clip had not been removed as of Monday morning.

Update: By 9.30 a.m. the blurred video has been completely removed from the Youtube channel.