Chathuranga Abeysinghe seeks correction over alleged AI-generated image

Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, has demanded a formal correction from a private television channel following the broadcast of an allegedly AI-manipulated photograph. The image was used by former MP Wimal Weerawansa during a televised discussion to make political allegations.

Abeysinghe claims the original photo depicted him with an individual named Amal, who assisted protesters during the 2022 Aragalaya movement. He alleges the image was subsequently altered using artificial intelligence to falsely portray Amal as a Buddhist monk. The Deputy Minister expressed concern that using such fabricated imagery in discussions involving sensitive religious and ethnic matters could fuel social tensions and mislead the public.

A formal letter sent to the broadcaster requests an investigation into the photograph's authenticity, a public correction, and a written explanation. Abeysinghe also questioned whether the program's presenter verified the source of the image before it was aired.