A Sri Lankan doctor at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children has been arrested and charged with possessing and obtaining child sexual abuse and exploitation material, Toronto police said in a news release.Dilan Dissanayake, 44, was detained by officers from the police’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit following an investigation into alleged use of electronic devices to access and download child sexual abuse and exploitation material.Police said the investigation began in January 2026. In February, investigators executed search warrants at SickKids Hospital and a private residence and seized multiple electronic devices, including a work computer.Dissanayake was charged with possessing child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation material and obtaining child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation material. He is scheduled to appear in Ontario Court of Justice on Tuesday. The allegations against him have not yet been tested in court.Toronto police said investigators found no evidence linking the alleged child sexual abuse and exploitation material to Dissanayake’s work as a doctor. The investigation is ongoing.In a statement posted on its website, The Hospital for SickKids said it was “deeply disturbed and dismayed” by the allegations and condemned the conduct described by police.The hospital said Dissanayake was placed on leave immediately upon learning of the findings. It added that Toronto police said there was no evidence the charges were related to his medical practice and that no patients or their families were informed of any risks.The hospital also said families of patients receiving Dissanayake’s care can contact its patient relations team if they have any concerns.
