In a significant reminder of the legal consequences of online abuse, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday sentenced a young man who shared a woman’s private photographs and videos without her consent to six months of simple imprisonment, suspended for a period of ten years. The order was delivered by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the suspect was ordered to pay Rs. 75,000 as compensation to the victim and a fine of Rs. 2,500. The court also granted the defence’s request for a one-month period to settle the compensation.
The Case
According to facts presented before court, the complainant had previously been in a romantic relationship with the suspect’s friend. After that relationship ended, the complainant and the suspect continued to communicate frequently over a long period. During this time, the complainant shared intimate photographs of herself with the suspect in confidence.
However, the suspect later shared those private images in a WhatsApp group consisting of his friends, without the complainant’s knowledge or consent. Upon discovering the incident, the victim lodged a complaint with the Computer Crimes Investigation Division (CCID), leading to legal proceedings.
Appearing for the defence, counsel informed court that the suspect had pleaded guilty at an early stage, admitted the offence without delay, and had not subjected the complainant to threats or undue influence. Taking these factors into account, the Magistrate imposed a suspended sentence while emphasizing accountability through compensation and a fine.
A Growing and Common Digital Crime
Incidents involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, often referred to as “image-based abuse,” are becoming increasingly common in Sri Lanka and globally. With the widespread use of smartphones and social media platforms, private content shared in trust can be easily misused.
Legal experts note that such acts cause serious emotional distress, reputational harm, and psychological trauma to victims. Many cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness about legal remedies, making reported cases only a fraction of the actual problem.
Legal Protection and Consequences
Sri Lankan law treats the unauthorized sharing of private images as a serious cyber offence, punishable with imprisonment, fines, and compensation to victims. Courts have repeatedly stressed that consent to receive an image does not mean consent to share it.
This case highlights that even when offenders plead guilty, the justice system will still impose penalties to reflect the gravity of the offence and to deter similar conduct.
What Victims Should Do
Victims of such incidents are encouraged to act promptly and confidently:
Preserve evidence: Save messages, screenshots, links, and details of the platforms where images were shared.
Report immediately: Lodge a complaint with the CCID or the nearest police station.
Seek platform support: Report the content to social media or messaging platforms to have it removed.
Get emotional support: Speak to trusted family members, counselors, or support organizations.
Know your rights: The law is designed to protect victims, not blame them.
Facing the Situation with Strength
Experts stress that victims should not feel ashamed or isolated. Responsibility lies solely with the person who violated trust and privacy. Speaking up not only helps victims seek justice but also helps prevent others from suffering similar harm.
This case serves as a strong reminder that digital actions have real-world consequences. Respect for privacy, consent, and dignity must extend into online spaces. As technology continues to shape modern relationships, ethical behavior and legal awareness are more important than ever.
The judgment sends a clear message: sharing someone’s private images without consent is not a joke, not a mistake, and not acceptable it is a crime.
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