Detectives are launching a fresh appeal to help solve the murder of a man in Mitcham on the first anniversary of his death.

A brutal attack, on November 6, last year, led to the death of Sellathurai Balasingham, a Sri Lankan Tamil, on the Mitcham housing estate where he lived.

Police hunting those responsible are convinced that people within the Tamil community have information which could help and are urging them to come forward.

The attack on Mr Balasingham happened after he had driven his P-reg Honda Civic into Huntingdon Close at about 11pm.

He was chased by at least three men on to a ramp beside one of the houses in a road between Kent Close and Huntingdon Close.

They then beat him repeatedly over the head with blunt instruments before escaping towards Recreation Way, where a car picked them up and drove off at high speed.

An ambulance took Mr Balasingham to hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

A postmortem confirmed he died from his head injuries.

Shortly after the attack Mr Balasingham's girlfriend of 13 years, Kanthie Rathanapala, grieving over his death with her young daughter, said: "Please let us know who did this. Anyone who saw this, contact police."

Police hunting the killers believe them to be Sri Lankan, in their early 30s, slim, and between 5ft 6in and 5ft 10in.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Ephgrave, who is leading the murder hunt, is urging witnesses to come forward with any information and confirmed that it would be treated in the strictest confidence.

He said: "Please do come forward particularly those from the Sri Lankan community.

"We think the answer lies locally and we do need the help of the people there.

"Confidentiality will be respected."

He would prefer people to call him at the murder squad incident room, on 020 8247 4567, but they can ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

November 18, 2002 15:00