Ottawa, Canada – Following the tragic events that unfolded in a quiet neighborhood in Barrhaven, Ottawa police are diligently working to unravel the details behind the most gruesome mass killing in the city’s history. The primary weapon used in the attack, similar to a hunting knife, claimed the lives of a mother, her four young children, and a family acquaintance at their family home on Berrigan Drive. A 19-year-old international student, who was residing with the family, has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Families new to Canada from Sri Lanka, the victims have been identified as Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake and her four children – Kelly, Ranaya, Ashwini, and Inuka. Additionally, a family acquaintance, 40-year-old Gamini Amarakoon Amarakoon Mudiyanselage, was also found deceased at the scene. The surviving father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, who is recovering in the hospital, is in a state of shock.
The father, an Algonquin College graduate who worked as an Uber driver, had welcomed the suspect, who was known to be an international student attending classes in Ottawa. Wickramasinghe’s landlord praised him as a tenant, noting that he was responsible and took good care of the property. The community has been left in disbelief, coming together to offer condolences and support to the grieving family.
As authorities continue their investigation, there have been efforts to support the children’s classmates at Monsignor Paul Baxter School, providing grief counseling and crisis support services. The suspect, identified as Febrio De-Zoysa, a Sri Lankan national studying in Canada, made a brief court appearance and is facing serious charges.
In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to aid the families of the victims, with funds managed through the Buddhist Congress of Canada. The community, shocked and saddened by the loss, has come together to offer financial and emotional support to those affected. As the investigation unfolds and the community comes to terms with the heartbreaking events, there is a collective resolve to stand by those who have suffered unimaginable loss.