Toronto, Canada — A devastating tragedy struck a Sri Lankan family in Ottawa, Canada, as Dhanushka Wickramasinghe returned home from work to a horrific sight. His wife and four young children had been brutally killed, with Wickramasinghe himself sustaining injuries in the attack. Despite his injuries, he managed to subdue the suspect, a 19-year-old Sri Lankan student living with the family who has been charged with the murders.
The details of the tragic incident unfolded as the Ottawa Police responded to emergency calls and discovered the bodies of Wickramasinghe’s wife, 35-year-old Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, and their four young children. Also found was the body of an acquaintance, 40-year-old Amarakoonmudiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, who was living with the family.
Bhante Suneetha, the resident monk at a local Buddhist monastery where the family attended, expressed great shock over the incident and described the Wickramasinghe family as kind-hearted individuals who actively participated in temple activities and helped others in need. The family, who were newcomers to Canada, had arrived just last year, according to sources.
The suspect, Febrio De-Zoysa, an international student, was arrested at the scene without incident and has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The murders were reported to have been carried out using a “knife-like object.” Algonquin College in Ottawa confirmed that De-Zoysa was a former student at the institution.
As investigations into the motive behind the crime continue, a statement from the General Consulate of Sri Lanka in Toronto offered condolences to the victims’ families and cautioned parents of students studying abroad to be vigilant during their transition and integration into foreign countries. A vigil is set to be held for the family, with a fundraising campaign launched to support Wickramasinghe in his recovery.
The community has rallied behind the grieving family, with donations pouring in to aid Wickramasinghe during this difficult time. The tragic event has shaken the local Sri Lankan community and underscored the importance of supporting and protecting vulnerable populations abroad.