The arrests came about as part of the government’s appeal to the public to identify the actors through photos published on the Internet.
The police identified the defendants through photos that appeared on now banned adult websites.
The suspects — accused of violating the country's anti-obscenity laws — were forced to make statements and pay a surety before being released. They face up to six months in jail or a fine of 10,000 rupees ($89.75), or both, if convicted.
A spokesman from the Police Women’s and Children’s Bureau told the BBC, "So far we have identified seven suspects out of 83. They have been questioned and released under police surety. Investigations are still under way to identify others.”
Police are also probing porn videos on the Internet to identify other performers and said stern measures would be taken against the talent and producers.
Some of the pictures released by police were in fact from private videos released by estranged lovers and some may have been secretly shot with hidden cameras, according to reports in the Sri Lankan media.
The police are also asking the unwitting performers to voluntarily come forward.
One woman who starred in the films has reportedly fled the country after being targeted by sexual predators.
Recently, the government asked Sri Lankan newspapers to publish the faces of suspected porn performers, but the majority have refused on ethical grounds.
But the photos have been posted on local websites and have been circulated via email.
