Colombo school video call controversy explained. Learn what really happened, what the law says, and why sharing videos is a serious crime in Sri Lanka.
Why This Incident Has Shocked the Nation
Sri Lanka woke up to a storm of debate after reports emerged about an alleged video call incident involving a student and several female teachers from a well-known boys’ school in Colombo.
Within hours, social media platforms filled with rumors, screenshots, edited images, jokes, and even links to private videos. Some people demanded punishment. Others asked for proof. Many expressed anger about how quickly private lives turned into public entertainment.
But behind the viral posts lies a much deeper story.
This incident is not only about one school or a few individuals. It raises serious questions about:
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Online privacy
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Digital safety
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The age of consent
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Laws about sharing private content
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The responsibility of social media users
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The protection of children and teachers
This article explains what is known so far, what the law says in Sri Lanka, and why sharing such content can destroy lives and lead to prison.
Body: What We Know, What the Law Says, and What Happens Next
What exactly is the alleged incident?
According to information shared by sources close to the school, a senior student—reported to be the head student leader—allegedly made video calls to four female teachers from the same school.
During these calls, sexual acts reportedly took place. Someone later recorded these calls and released the videos online.
Soon after, unknown groups began sharing:
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Images of the student
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Images of the teachers
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Links to the alleged videos
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Memes and jokes about the situation
The content spread rapidly across Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other platforms.
However, authorities could not independently confirm the full details of the incident.
Did the police receive a complaint?
Police officials stated that no formal complaint had reached the local police station where the school is located.
But another important step did happen.
The student involved reportedly submitted a complaint to Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Unit (SLCERT) about three weeks earlier, claiming that the videos had “leaked.”
SLCERT then advised him to file a complaint with the Computer Crime Investigation Division (CID).
A senior officer from the division later confirmed:
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A request for removal of content had been made
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The complaint was received recently
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Investigations were ongoing
This confirms that authorities are aware of the situation at the cybercrime level.
Action taken by the school
Sources connected to the school stated that:
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The incident occurred some time ago
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School management dissolved the entire student council
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This included removing the student leader from his position
Schools in Sri Lanka often take disciplinary action when student behavior affects the institution’s reputation, safety, or moral standards.
The law explained in simple terms
To understand this situation clearly, we must look at three main legal areas:
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Age of consent
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Sharing private sexual content
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Online harassment and cybercrime
1. What is the legal age of consent in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka:
The minimum age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years.
This rule applies to both boys and girls.
That means:
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If a person is 16 or older, and
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If both parties agree freely,
then sexual activity is not considered rape under criminal law—even if it happens online through video calls.
However, there is an important warning.
If the person is under 18 and:
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Was pressured
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Was threatened
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Was manipulated
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Or was forced
then the law can treat it as serious sexual abuse.
So age alone does not decide everything. Consent and freedom of choice matter greatly.
2. Can private sexual videos be shared legally?
The answer is NO.
Sri Lankan law clearly states:
No one has the right to release obscene photos or videos into the public domain—even if the people in the video once agreed to record them.
This means:
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Recording without permission is illegal
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Sharing without permission is illegal
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Forwarding is illegal
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Posting links is illegal
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Making memes from it is illegal
Even joking about it using images or fake stories can become a crime.
What laws apply to this situation?
Several powerful laws protect victims:
🔹 Computer Crimes Act
Punishes anyone who records, distributes, or hacks digital content without permission.
🔹 Online Safety Act
Allows action against harmful online posts, rumors, jokes, and viral content.
🔹 Civil Law (Defamation)
Victims can sue for damage to reputation and demand compensation.
🔹 Child Protection Laws
If any victim is under 18, special protections apply.
🔹 Online Privacy Laws
Allow courts to issue restraining orders and remove content.
Are people who share or joke also criminals?
Yes.
Many people think only the person who leaked the video is guilty. That is wrong.
The law considers these actions criminal:
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Forwarding videos
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Uploading screenshots
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Creating memes
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Writing insulting posts
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Making jokes using images
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Sharing rumors presented as facts
Even one Facebook post can bring legal action under the Online Safety Act.
What about the teachers?
Teachers are government employees.
This means:
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The Ministry of Education can take disciplinary action
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They may face internal investigations
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Their professional conduct can be reviewed
However, unless a criminal offense is proven, teachers cannot automatically face criminal punishment.
They also have the full right to:
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File cybercrime complaints
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Demand removal of content
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Seek compensation
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Request restraining orders
Can videos be removed from the internet?
Yes, but it is difficult.
Cybersecurity officials say:
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Publicly shared videos can be removed
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Some private message content can also be removed
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Special international platforms exist to help victims
One such platform allows victims to submit digital fingerprints of images to prevent re-uploads.
However:
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Once content spreads widely, full removal becomes very hard
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New copies may appear again
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Continuous monitoring is needed
This shows why prevention is more powerful than cure.
Why this incident is dangerous for society
This case highlights several serious problems in modern Sri Lanka:
🚨 Digital ignorance
Many users do not understand that sharing “one video” can be a serious crime.
🚨 Mob justice
People judge before investigations finish.
🚨 Loss of privacy
Private mistakes become permanent digital scars.
🚨 Mental health risks
Victims often suffer:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Fear
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Suicidal thoughts
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Social isolation
🚨 Damage to education
Schools lose trust. Students lose guidance. Teachers lose respect.
A lesson bigger than one scandal
This alleged video call incident should not become just another viral joke.
It must become a national lesson.
Technology gives us power. But power without responsibility destroys lives.
Before sharing any post, every user should ask:
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Is this true?
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Is this legal?
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Will this hurt someone forever?
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Would I want this done to my family?
The law is clear. Privacy is sacred. Children deserve protection. Teachers deserve dignity.
Justice must come from courts—not from social media mobs.
If Sri Lanka wants a safer digital future, this incident must change how people think, post, and behave online.