The father who lost his wife and four children in the tragic Barrhaven mass killing in March shared a message of gratitude with Ottawa’s mayor.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe shared in a post on social media that Dhanushka Wikramasinghe is extremely grateful to the people of Ottawa, especially police, emergency services and hospital staff and plans on staying in the nation’s capital to contribute to the community.
“I found that very touching and admirable, and frankly, awe-inspiring. I promised that our community would continue to support him in the months and years ahead,” said Sutcliffe on Sunday. “We must continue to put our arms around Mr. Wikramasinghe and his family.”
Sutcliffe said he and his wife met privately with Wikramasinghe on Saturday.
“As a husband and father, I’m heartbroken for Mr. Wikramasinghe and his family. He has lost everything,” he said. “But despite his incredible grief and loss, his message of hope and gratitude were deeply moving and inspiring to Ginny and me.”
On March 6, Ottawa police received numerous 911 calls to a home on Berrigan Drive and found Wickramasinghe outside with serious injuries.
Police say the bodies of the victims — Darshani Ekanyake, 35, Inuka Wickramasinghe, 7, Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 4, Rinyana Wickramasinghe, 2, Kelly Wickramasinghe, 2 months old and Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, 40 — were found inside the home.
Ottawa police arrested and charged a 19 year-old man with six counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Police say the accused was an acquaintance of the family and living with them in the home.