SickKids doctor charged with possessing, accessing child exploitation materials
Police said Dr. Dilan Dissanayake, 44, was arrested on Tuesday and faces charges of possession and access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
A SickKids doctor is facing charges and has been placed on immediate leave following an investigation into internet child exploitation, Toronto police said.
Police said Dr. Dilan Dissanayake, 44, was arrested on Tuesday and is charged with possession and access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
The investigation began in January when officers discovered an electronic device allegedly used to access and download these materials.
In February, investigators executed search warrants at the Hospital for Sick Children and at a home.
Multiple devices were seized including a work computer, police said.
A profile matching Dissanayake’s name was removed from the SickKids website.
Dissanayake has been working at SickKids for over a decade and was presently a staff rheumatologist.
In a statement, SickKids Hospital said it is “deeply upset and dismayed” by the news and “condemn the behaviour alleged in the police investigation.”
“We understand that this news is concerning and the safety and well-being of our patients, families and staff remain our highest priority,” the statement says.
Toronto police said at this time there is no evidence linking the material to Dissanayake’s practice as a physician.
SickKids said Dissanayake was placed on immediate leave once it was notified of the investigation.
The University of Toronto said it also placed Dissanayake on administrative leave as soon as it became aware of the police investigation. The university said it knows of no evidence that the charges are related to his university activities.
The university said Dissanayake is not a university employee but holds a clinical faculty appointment through the Faculty of Medicine. It said it is reaching out to members of the university community who may have worked or studied with him to make them aware of available supports and resources in collaboration with SickKids.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario said its Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee directed the registrar to suspend Dissanayake’s certificate of registration effective July 21.
The regulator said Ontario law allows it to impose an interim suspension without notice when a physician’s conduct exposes or is likely to expose patients to harm and urgent intervention is required. The college said it will continue to monitor the matter.
This story was originally published by Global News on July 21, 2026. CityAM Canada is republishing it for our Canadian readers.