Mayor says lone survivor of Barrhaven attack grateful for community

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The lone survivor of a brutal attack in a Barrhaven home last month wants to stay in Ottawa, and is committed to serving the community after his wife, four children and a family friend were killed, Ottawa’s mayor says.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe recently met with Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, a “very kind, generous, gentle, and inspiring man,” he said on social media.

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“Despite the enormous tragedy he has experienced, he is committed to serving his community. He wants to volunteer to help young people. He wants to stay in Ottawa and contribute to our community,” Sutcliffe said. 

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Six people were found dead inside a home on Berrigan Drive on March 6: Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, 35; her children Inuka, 7; Ashwini, 4; Ranaya, 3; and two-month-old Kelly. A family acquaintance, 40-year-old Gamini Amarakoon, was also found dead inside the home.

Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. 

“As a husband and father, I’m heartbroken for Mr. Wickramasinghe and his family. He has lost everything. But despite his incredible grief and loss, his message of hope and gratitude were deeply moving and inspiring to (my wife) Ginny and me,” Sutcliffe said on social media.

“I promised that our community would continue to support him in the months and years ahead. We must continue to put our arms around Mr. Wickramasinghe and his family.”

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