Gampaha Magistrate Tikiri K. Jayathilake yesterday (21) criticized Acting Police Media Spokesperson on his conduct regarding the murder of a five-year-old girl in Kotadeniyawa, saying that the spokesperson should have been responsible over information released to the media over suspects of the case.

He made this remark when Dunesh Priyashantha alias ‘Kondaya’ was produced before him on charges of unlawfully entering a residence and assault.

The magistrate also said that Police have no right to claim one as a criminal before proving the charges against him/her.

Moreover, media persons can report what police say regarding an incident, the magistrate said.