A man who died after being hit by a bus in central London has been named as Greenwich professor Dr Chesmal Siriwardhana.

The 38-year old medical expert was living in Greenwich, but was originally from Sri Lanka.

He died on Sunday night (April 9) after police responded at 2am to reports of a bus and hitting a pedestrian in Oxford Street.

Dr Siriwardhana was a medical doctor and professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

He was considered an expert in global mental health, specifically in the area of armed conflict and migration.

Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Dr Chesmal Siriwardhana.

"Chesmal joined the School in 2016 and was a highly regarded researcher and tutor in global mental health.

"Through his work on armed conflict, migration and mental health, he was at the forefront of some of the major public health challenges of the day.

"His important research helped to improve our understanding of the mental health needs of people affected by conflict, particularly in Sri Lanka, and which services are most effective in supporting them.

"Chesmal was a deeply valued friend, colleague and mentor, and he will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends.”

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the collision and the doctor was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination took place at the Westminster Mortuary yesterday. No formal cause of death was established.

The bus driver stopped at the scene. They have not been arrested and are assisting police with their enquiries.

Despite the collision occurring in the early hours of the morning, there would have been a number of people in the vicinity at the time and detectives are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information is to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Merton Traffic Garage on 020 8543 5157 or via Twitter @MetCC.