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Search forMurdered Croydon teen's family speak of their grief
Monday, August 18, 2008, 10:00
Surrounded by a clutch of medals, trophies and certificates that Nilanthan had won, they told how the sports-mad youngster had been working in the family's restaurant for the last year and was full of ideas.
His distraught sister Santhiya, 18, said: "We used to have four family members - but now there are only three.
"We were very close. Although I was a year older, I used to look up to him. I can't imagine life without my brother.
"One of the things I'll miss most about him is the silly little arguments we used to have over things like which TV channel to watch - he loved watching sports whilst I liked music programmes."
Asked to comment on what she thought of the murderer, she hesitated before saying: "We just pray he will understand what he has done and that God will forgive him."
Nilanthan was a pupil at Selhurst High School where he got three GCSEs in English, maths and drama.
Then he went on to Langley Park School, in Bromley, where Santhiya said he left last year so he could help out with the family business.
His father Rampillai is the owner of the Royal Masala restaurant in Brighton Road, Purley.
Mr Murddi said: "My son did some deliveries and waitering but he was also full of ideas.
"He would make suggestions about things like how to advertise the business better and how to improve the menu."
Nilanthan had amassed an impressive array of awards for his sporting and drama prowess.
A certificate he won five years ago at the Kingston-Upon-Thames Music Festival for his portrayal of a scene from Of Mice and Men reads: "This was a beautifully crafted scene ... well done."
A keen Manchester United fan, he was also a promising batsman for Bromley Court Cricket Club.
Santhiya added that her dad and mum Kalaimagal had been "destroyed" by their only son's death.
Nilanthan dropped his mum and sister off at the airport on August 7 for a two-week holiday in India, and this was the last time they ever saw him.
Santhiya said: "His last words were 'have a good holiday, safe journey'."
The pair flew home as soon as they heard the news over the weekend and only arrived back at their New Addington home at 11am yesterday (Sunday).
Santhiya added: "He was always giving a helping hand. Every day, every second, we will be thinking of him."
The Murddi family are from Sri Lanka but have lived in Britain for more than 20 years.
His aunt Usha Muralitharan, 48, said: "He was a helpful boy. He was very family-orientated.
"Words can't express how I feel right now. He was energetic, always giving a helping hand whenever it was needed."
WITH FAMILY: Nilanthan, left, with his sisters and cousins. including Santhiya, third from left.
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