The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has instructed the Police Children and Women’s Bureau to immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into disturbing revelations made by the American-based organization “Nekmac.” The organization disclosed that obscene videos and photos of minor children in Sri Lanka were being uploaded and circulated online. This case has sparked serious concern about the increasing exploitation of children through digital platforms in the country.
The court’s order came after the Police Children and Women’s Bureau presented facts relating to the incident. The Bureau reported that “Nekmac,” an international internet organization with membership in eight countries, is dedicated to investigating the release of inappropriate and illegal content involving children. The organization utilizes specialized software to track and flag obscene material across its member countries, and it recently alerted Sri Lankan authorities about the distribution of such content involving Sri Lankan children.
According to the Bureau, the “Nekmac” software detected indecent videos and images of Sri Lankan children being uploaded from various computer devices. While investigations into the matter are ongoing, no identified victims have been linked to this specific case as of yet. The Bureau also noted that many similar complaints regarding child exploitation have been filed, and they continue to receive reports of such incidents regularly.
The police have further informed the court that a group of individuals in Sri Lanka is actively downloading explicit content involving both children and adults. This group is reportedly working to distribute these images and videos through various social media platforms, further raising alarms about the growing issue of online child exploitation.
In a separate development, the Computer Emergency Response Forum (CERF) has highlighted several cases where schoolchildren are being subjected to online extortion and intimidation via the Telegram messaging app. Charuka Damunupola, a Senior Information Security Engineer at CERF, stated that Telegram’s popularity among students, especially in groups created for extra classes or academic purposes, has led to incidents where children are targeted with pornographic images. These images, often altered using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to appear as children, are used to manipulate and blackmail the victims into complying with extortion demands.
Damunupola emphasized the urgency of parents and guardians educating children about the potential dangers of sharing images or engaging with strangers on social media. He advised that if children encounter such disturbing content, they should immediately block the sender’s account and avoid interacting further with the abuser. It is crucial, he stressed, not to be intimidated by fake AI-generated images and to never share real personal photos with strangers online.
The Magistrate, upon reviewing the detailed information provided by the Police Children and Women’s Bureau, issued an order for an immediate investigation. The court has also mandated that the Bureau submit a progress report on the investigation at the earliest opportunity. This case reflects a broader concern regarding the exploitation of children in Sri Lanka and the challenges faced by authorities in combating the growing use of digital platforms for such harmful activities.
With the rise in online child abuse, there is increasing pressure on the government and law enforcement agencies to strengthen regulations and improve their ability to monitor and control online spaces. International organizations like “Nekmac” continue to play a vital role in identifying and addressing the illegal distribution of obscene material, but more robust local efforts are needed to protect children from online predators. The case also calls for more awareness among parents, educators, and communities about the risks children face on the internet and the importance of staying vigilant against digital exploitation.
