A Sri Lankan-origin doctor at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children has been arrested and charged with possessing and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, Toronto Police said in a press release.

Dissanayake, 44, was held by officers from the force's Internet Child Exploitation Unit after an investigation into the alleged use of an electronic device 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 the Hospital for Sick Children and a private residence, where they seized multiple electronic devices, including a work computer.

Dissanayake has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material. He was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Tuesday. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.

Toronto Police said investigators have found no evidence that the alleged child sexual abuse and exploitation material is connected to Dissanayake's work as a physician.

The investigation remains ongoing.

In a statement published on its website, the Hospital for Sick Children said it was "deeply upset and dismayed" by the allegations and condemned the behaviour described by police.

The hospital said Dissanayake was placed on immediate leave after it became aware of the investigation. It added that Toronto Police had advised there was no evidence linking the charges to his medical practice and that it had not been informed of any risk to patients or their families.

The hospital also said that families of patients who received care from Dissanayake can contact its patient relations team with any concerns.

Source: TOI

--Agencies