8-3-2024 (TORONTO) In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a woman from Sri Lanka and her four children were brutally stabbed to death in their home in Ottawa. The suspect, identified as Febrio De-Zoysa, a 19-year-old student from Sri Lanka, has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Another man, who was living in the same residence, also lost his life in the attack.
The tragic events unfolded on the evening of March 6 when the Ottawa Police received two emergency calls reporting the heinous crime. Promptly responding to the distressing situation, law enforcement apprehended De-Zoysa shortly thereafter. The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood, leaving the entire community in a state of shock and mourning.
Addressing the media at a press conference, Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs expressed his deep sadness over the senseless act of violence. He emphasized that the victims were innocent individuals who had been tragically caught in this horrific incident. Chief Stubbs further revealed that this incident marked the largest mass killing in the city of Ottawa in over three decades.
The victims have been identified as Ms. Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, 35, the mother of the four children who lost their lives, Inuka Wickramasinghe (7), Ashwini Wickramasinghe (4), Rinyana Wickramasinghe (2), and Kelly Wickramasinghe (2 months). The children’s father, Mr. Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, was seriously injured during the attack but is currently in stable condition after receiving medical treatment. Eyewitnesses recall seeing Mr. Wickramasinghe on the street shortly after the incident, urgently pleading for someone to call emergency services.
In addition to the family, another individual, Mr. Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon (40), who had recently arrived from Sri Lanka and was residing with the family, also lost his life in the tragic incident.
While the police have confirmed that the victims were killed using an edged weapon, they have refrained from providing further details surrounding the nature of the weapon. The crime scene remains under investigation, with two police sports utility vehicles still present at the residence.
Neighbours, such as Ms. Shanti Ramesh, were startled by the commotion and witnessed a swarm of police vehicles rushing to the scene that night. Ms. Ramesh observed investigators cordoning off the area with yellow crime scene tape. She retired for the night, assuming the situation would be resolved by morning. However, the news of the brutal tragedy unfolded, leaving her and the entire neighbour hood in disbelief. Ms. Ramesh admitted that she did not personally know the family residing in the home.
Incidents of mass killings are relatively rare in Canada, where the homicide rate stood at approximately 2.3 killings per 100,000 people in 2022, significantly lower than the rate in the United States. Despite this, there has been an 8% rise in Canada’s homicide rate from the previous year, making it the fourth consecutive year of increase.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed his condolences to the grieving family and acknowledged the rarity of such events in their city. He assured the public that Ottawa remains a safe place to live, despite the unsettling circumstances, and acknowledged the impact this incident may have on the community’s sense of security.
