Sutton: An emotional appeal for help in tracking down the brutal killers of a hard-working Sri Lankan is being made by the woman he left behind.

Kanthie Rathanapala, 43, spoke exclusively to the Sutton Guardian about her shock at hearing of her boyfriends murder and her desire for justice.

As reported last week, Sellathurai Balasingham, a Sri Lankan Tamil, was bludgeoned to death on November 6 on the Mitcham housing estate where he lived.

Kanthie said she had not been surprised when her boyfriend of six years whom she calls Bala did not return home from his job as a production manager at the Sunshine Service Group, in South Wimbledon, as he often worked late into the night.

She only became anxious the next morning, and had just called the company, when the police arrived to say he had been murdered.

Kanthie recalled how her boyfriend had been good to her six-year-old daughter, Sithara, who called him daddy.

She said: "Please let us know who did this. Anyone who saw this, contact police."

DI Reg Field, leading the murder hunt, said police were looking for at least three dark-skinned or light-tanned men in their early 30s.

He said: "It's possible that not all of them wanted to go that far."

"If one of them knows he didn't want to, he should call us before he is listed as a murderer. "

As the Guardian went to press, police said they are seeking information on a white, two-door Suzuki Swift car which they believe the killers used to make their getaway from Recreation Way.

It was found burnt out, on November 7, on a slip road to the river near the junction of the Portsmouth Road and Grove Road, Kingston.

Police also believe another white four-door car may have been involved which was spotted in South Lodge Avenue at the time of the murder.

Call 020 8247 4567 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

November 22, 2001 11:30