Key Takeaways
- The Sri Lankan brother and father of an Ottawa man whose wife and four children were killed in a mass stabbing have been approved for permanent residency in Canada.
- The family’s townhouse was attacked in March 2024, resulting in the deaths of six people, including the man’s wife and children.
- The perpetrator, Febrio De-Zoysa, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
- The brother and father of the Ottawa man had applied for permanent residency but faced delays, prompting their immigration lawyer to request help from the federal government.
- The brother is now planning to sponsor his wife and daughter, who were previously denied visitor visas, but face a 14-month processing time.
Introduction to the Tragedy
The tragic events that unfolded in Ottawa in March 2024 sent shockwaves throughout the community. Darshani Ekanayake, 35, her seven-year-old son Inuka, and her three daughters, Ashwini, 4, Ranaya, 3, and Kelly, two months, were killed in a gruesome mass stabbing at their townhouse. Gamini Amarakoon, 40, a family friend and tenant, was also killed in the attack. Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, Ekanayake’s husband and the children’s father, was injured but survived the horrific incident. The perpetrator, Febrio De-Zoysa, was later sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years after pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and one count of attempted murder.
The Family’s Quest for Permanent Residency
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Wickramasinghe’s brother and father traveled to Canada to support him. However, they faced significant challenges in their quest for permanent residency. Despite applying for permanent residency, they heard nothing for months, prompting their immigration lawyer, Ronalee Carey, to request help from the federal government. Fortunately, both the brother and father have now had their applications approved, and they are waiting for their permanent residency cards to arrive. This approval brings a sense of relief and stability to the family, who have been through unimaginable trauma.
Challenges in Reuniting the Family
While the approval of permanent residency for Wickramasinghe’s brother and father is a significant step forward, the family still faces challenges in reuniting. Chelaka Wickramasinghe, the brother, is now planning to sponsor his wife and daughter, who were previously denied visitor visas. However, the processing time for sponsorship applications is 14 months, which means the family will have to wait for an extended period before they can be reunited. Carey has requested that the immigration minister reconsider the denials of the visitor visas, but so far, she has not received a response. The family is eager to be reunited, and Carey is working to ensure that they can be together as soon as possible.
Efforts to Expedite the Process
Carey is exploring alternative options to expedite the process, including applying for a temporary resident permit, which would allow Wickramasinghe’s wife to enter Canada as a visitor. Once in Canada, she could apply for a work permit, although the processing time for this is also lengthy. Carey has suggested that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) could expedite the processing of the work permit by issuing it in conjunction with a temporary resident permit. This would enable Wickramasinghe’s wife to join her family in Canada sooner, providing much-needed support and comfort during this difficult time.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The approval of permanent residency for Wickramasinghe’s brother and father is a positive step towards healing and rebuilding for the family. However, the journey is far from over, and the family still faces significant challenges in reuniting. Carey’s efforts to expedite the process and reunite the family are ongoing, and it is hoped that the IRCC will consider the family’s circumstances and provide the necessary support to facilitate their reunion. As the family continues to navigate the complexities of the immigration system, they remain grateful for the support of their community and the efforts of their lawyer to bring them together again.