Police, family members search for missing Fort Richmond teen

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/05/2023 (886 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The family of a missing Winnipeg boy are pleading for the public’s help in locating him, days after he disappeared from Fort Richmond.

Inuka Gunathilaka, 15, was last seen this past Wednesday leaving home around 8 a.m. and heading to school.

Footage from surveillance cameras in the area shows him arriving at Fort Richmond Collegiate 10 minutes later. He left his school supplies inside the library, before walking out of the school toward Pembina Highway, said Sethumi Gunathilaka, his older sister.

He was recorded on video shortly after inside a Tim Hortons coffee shop near the intersection of Killarney Avenue and Pembina Highway. Two other people were standing near him, but the family does not believe they knew Inuka or were there with him, she said.

Video later shows him walking northbound near University Crescent and Pembina.

“Past that, we haven’t been able to get video footage,” said his sister.

Inuka was reported missing to Winnipeg police Wednesday evening, WPS Const. Jason Michalyshen said.

Inuka is SriLankan, stands about 6-0, has a medium build and short black hair. He was last seen wearing glasses, a blue sweater and dark-blue jeans with black shoes.

Sethumi said her brother was also wearing a red- or pink-coloured T-shirt underneath his sweater.

Police had no updates Saturday, although Michalyshen confirmed search efforts continue.

The Gunathilaka family organized its own search party Friday, with about 150 people from the SriLankan community scouring the downtown and St. Vital areas.

The family has also searched malls and local hospitals, and alerted Winnipeg Transit about the missing boy.

“We are doing everything we can, but no sign of him has been found,” Sethumi said.

She described her brother as a quiet person who sticks to himself but is kind and considerate of others. She also indicated he may be dealing with mental-health issues and was having trouble at home.

Inuka has never run away before, and he gave no warning he was planning to leave. He does not have a phone.

“I think he feels like he is very alone right now… I just want to say there is a lot of support for him. We will be willing to support him no matter what, and he is not alone,” said Sethumi.

Police and the family are concerned for Inuka’s well-being, and are asking anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the WPS missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca