Jay Jayasinghe, a resident of Windsor and originally from Sri Lanka, has struck gold by claiming the top prize of $35 million from the June 6 draw of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s (OLG) Lotto Max. Jayasinghe, who expressed his long-held hope for such an opportunity, plans to enjoy his winnings by purchasing a new Dodge Charger Hellcat and embarking on a cross-country trip across Canada.
Jayasinghe’s stroke of luck came just a week after his daughter’s graduation from university, making the victory feel doubly significant for him. Initially, he and his wife discovered that the winning ticket was sold in Windsor, igniting a glimmer of hope. However, Jayasinghe admitted that he didn’t truly expect to win and put the idea out of his mind.
When he finally checked his ticket and saw the staggering prize amount displayed on the screen, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Overwhelmed with emotions, he scanned the ticket multiple times to confirm the number of zeros in his winnings. The reality of the situation began to sink in, leaving him in a state of disbelief and recounting the following days as a blur.
Jayasinghe immediately called his wife to share the extraordinary news and then rushed to pick her up, bringing her to the store where they validated the ticket together. In that moment, the world seemed to fade away as they embraced each other, oblivious to their surroundings.
With plans for his newfound fortune, Jayasinghe intends to provide his family with a new home and support his daughter’s education. He also has a strong desire to explore Canada’s natural beauty and take a road trip across the country, particularly to see the Rockies. Additionally, Jayasinghe wants to visit family and allocate a portion of his winnings to charitable causes that hold a special place in his heart.
As a lifelong car enthusiast, Jayasinghe will finally fulfill his dream of owning a muscle car. Reflecting on his childhood, he mentioned his father’s habit of saving automotive catalogs for him, a reminder of his deep-rooted passion. He shared with his wife that if he ever won the Lotto Max, he would treat himself to a Dodge Charger Hellcat.
Jayasinghe purchased the winning ticket from a Mac’s convenience store on Tecumseh Road. Overwhelmed by excitement, he admitted that this incredible blessing has overshadowed everything else. Memories of the sacrifices he and his family made for their future continue to replay in his mind, emphasizing the profound impact of this stroke of good fortune. Grateful for the opportunity to build a better life in Canada, Jayasinghe sees no limitations on their dreams now.
