A 20-year-old Sri Lankan student has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of six family members in Ottawa, Canada. Febrio De-Zoysa was convicted of killing his host family in what the court described as a "monstrous" crime that shocked the Canadian capital in March 2024.
The Victims and Their Tragic End
The victims were identified as Darshani Ekanayake, 35, and her four young children: seven-year-old Inuka, four-year-old Ashwini, three-year-old Ranaya, and two-year-old Kelliya. Also killed was Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, a 40-year-old family friend who was staying with them at the time.
De-Zoysa was living with the Ekanayake family as a student boarder when he carried out the fatal stabbings at their Barrhaven home. The Sri Lankan mother had welcomed the young man into her home, providing accommodation while he pursued his studies in Canada.
Details of the Crime
According to court proceedings, the attack occurred in the early hours of March 6, 2024. De-Zoysa used a knife to fatally wound all six victims in what investigators described as a premeditated assault. The youngest victim was just two years old, highlighting the particularly heinous nature of the crimes.
Emergency services responded to the Barrhaven residence after receiving reports of the incident. Despite immediate medical attention, all six victims succumbed to their injuries. The scene was described by first responders as one of the most disturbing they had encountered in their careers.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
During the court proceedings, the judge condemned the acts as "monstrous," emphasizing the vulnerability of the victims and the breach of trust involved. De-Zoysa had been welcomed into the family home and treated with kindness by Darshani Ekanayake, who was trying to help a fellow Sri Lankan succeed in Canada.
The prosecution argued for the maximum penalty, citing the premeditated nature of the crimes and the fact that four innocent children were among the victims. The defense attempted to present mitigating factors, but the court found the evidence of planning and the brutality of the acts to be overwhelming.
De-Zoysa will serve a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years, the standard sentence for first-degree murder in Canada. Given that he was convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder, he faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Community Impact and Response
The murders sent shockwaves through Ottawa's Sri Lankan community and the broader Barrhaven neighborhood. Darshani Ekanayake was known as a caring mother who had immigrated to Canada seeking better opportunities for her children. She worked hard to establish herself and her family in their new country while maintaining strong ties to their Sri Lankan heritage.
Community members organized vigils and fundraising efforts to support the family's funeral arrangements and to send the bodies back to Sri Lanka for burial according to their cultural traditions. The tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of immigrant families who often open their homes to help newcomers from their homeland.
Immigration and Student Housing Concerns
The case has raised questions about screening procedures for international students and the informal housing arrangements that many newcomers rely upon. While the vast majority of such arrangements proceed without incident, this tragedy has prompted discussions about better support systems for both host families and international students.
Immigration advocates stress that this case represents an extremely rare and isolated incident that should not reflect poorly on the broader international student community or Sri Lankan immigrants in Canada. However, they acknowledge the need for better mental health support and integration programs for young people studying far from home.
Ongoing Investigation and Motive
While De-Zoysa has been convicted and sentenced, questions remain about his specific motive for the killings. Court proceedings revealed evidence of premeditation, but the exact trigger for such extreme violence against people who had shown him kindness remains unclear.
Mental health experts involved in the case noted the importance of early intervention and support for individuals showing signs of psychological distress, particularly those dealing with the pressures of studying abroad and adapting to a new culture.
The sentencing brings legal closure to one of Ottawa's most shocking crimes in recent memory, though the emotional wounds for the extended family, friends, and community will take much longer to heal. The case serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of community support systems and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable families who open their homes to help others.