A case has been filed against a lawyer accused of digitally altering a photograph of a female lawyer using artificial intelligence (AI) to create explicit images and sharing them online.
The case, bearing number B 41701/01/25, was taken up today (14) before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama. The court observed that the actions of the accused lawyer, identified as Kingsly Sandun Sanjeewa, were unbecoming of the legal profession. The magistrate further noted that a record of this observation would be included in the case file and instructed the victim’s legal team to consider filing a complaint with the Supreme Court.
According to the case, the accused allegedly took a photograph of his colleague—also a lawyer and a member of his group at the Open University—and used AI technology to create nude versions of her image. He then reportedly distributed these fabricated images, along with her real name and phone number, via social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Investigations revealed that the accused had been communicating under her identity for nearly two years, sharing the manipulated images and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with individuals online. Screenshots of these chats were also circulated in online groups.
The female lawyer became aware of the incident only after friends, clients, and acquaintances who had seen the posts on social media informed her about them.
Following a technical investigation conducted by the Computer Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the suspect was arrested on 3 October 2025. However, he was later released on bail due to health reasons, having recently undergone surgery related to diabetic complications.
When the case was called again today, Magistrate Bodaragama expressed strong disapproval of the accused’s conduct and ordered the case to be recalled on 28 October 2025.
A legal team led by Senior Attorney Jaliya Samarasinghe and Attorney Udul Premarathne appeared on behalf of the aggrieved female lawyer.
