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Potential leads in Lankan’s murder
Jun 25, 201209:31 PM
A Sri Lankan, who fled Sri Lanka and moved to the UK after gaining asylum in Germany in 1993, has died following a confrontation with a group of teenagers in the east Midlands town of Leicester.
Detectives will be following up on several lines of inquiry after stopping people in the street where the man was murdered, reports from Leicester said.
Ponnuthurai Nimalaraja, known by family and friends as Nimal, died a week after he was found with serious head injuries at the junction of Gipsy Lane and Northfield Road, Leicester, at about 11.04pm on Saturday, June 9.
Police believe the 41-year-old father-of-two was killed after confronting a group of teenagers in the street.
They think he probably died as a result of falling backwards and hitting his head after being punched by one of the youths. A murder investigation is under way.
Two weeks on from the attack, officers spoke to pedestrians and motorists in the area to try to trace witnesses who have not yet come forward. They said they hoped to get as much information about the incident and the moments leading up to it as they can.
Police said yesterday a number of potential lines of inquiry had been established as a result, and would be followed up in the coming days and weeks.
But they would not reveal the nature of the new information.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Hewson said: “We still believe there may be a number of potential witnesses out there who have not come forward.
“If you were in the area on Saturday, June 9, and have not yet come forward I would urge you to contact us. Even if you don’t think you have much information to pass on, the slightest detail could help.
“We have also had huge support from the community. The assistance of the community is paramount in an investigation such as this.”
A family friend, speaking on behalf of Nimal’s relatives, urged anyone who has any information, to speak to police.
He said: “Whatever people know about this, they should tell police.”
Six boys, aged 15, 13 and four aged 14, and a girl aged 14 have been arrested as part of the murder investigation, and have been released on police bail, reports This Is Leicestershire.
