Canada tragedy: Sri Lankan family killed in mass stabbing in south Ottawa

Canada tragedy: In a horrific, dreadful and spine-chilling incident, mother, her four young children killed inside a townhouse in the south Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven. 

The casualties included a 35-year-old woman, along with her children aged 7, 4, 2, and 2 months, as well as a 40-year-old man who was known to the family.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed deep shock and distress over what he described as a "terrible tragedy."

Police have identified five of the victims as a family of newcomers to Canada from Sri Lanka. 

•    35-year-old Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake.
•    Seven-year-old Inuka Wickramasinghe.
•    Four-year-old daughter Ashwini Wickramasinghe.
•    Two-year-old daughter Rinyana Wickramasinghe.
•    Two-month-old daughter Kelly Wickramasinghe.
Another man, 40-year-old Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, was also killed.

Meanwhile, Ekanayake's husband was injured and is currently in hospital in stable condition. He's since been identified as Dhanushka Wickramasinghe.

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Authorities reported that a 19-year-old male student from Sri Lanka, identified as Febrio De-Zoysa, has been arrested and accused of six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. 

As per the police statement, De-Zoysa was familiar with the family and had been residing in their home. He is confirmed to be a Sri Lankan national and is believed to be in Canada for educational purposes.
De-Zoysa's next court appearance is scheduled for March 14.

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Police said De-Zoysa is also an acquaintance of the family and was living in the home at the time of the killings. He was arrested at the scene about 15 kilometres south of Ottawa's downtown core.

(With inputs from agencies)

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