A schoolboy and the principal of a leading school in Nikaweratiya have been released on bail after being arrested over an incident involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create nude images of three female students.
The Nikaweratiya Magistrate’s Court ordered the release of both suspects on cash bail of Rs. 100,000 each and surety bail worth Rs. 1 million each. The court also directed that their sureties be close relatives and ordered the suspects to appear again on October 23.
The suspects were arrested by the Crimes Investigation Unit of the Nikaweratiya Police Division. The principal was accused of assisting and concealing the incident without informing the authorities.
Investigations revealed that the 14- and 15-year-old girls’ photos were altered using AI tools to produce nude images, which were then saved on the student’s mobile phone. The device was later taken into the possession of the principal, who allegedly kept it unlawfully for over a month instead of reporting the matter to the police.
The incident came to light following a complaint lodged by the school’s Past Pupils’ Association, leading to a police inquiry. The suspects were charged under Sections 286, 346, and 361 of the Penal Code.
Police said such acts are treated as computer crimes under Sri Lankan law, adding that the Police Cyber Crimes Division continues investigations. (Newswire)