March 14, Canada (LNW): In response to the recent devastating event involving the murder of a Sri Lankan family in Ottawa, Canada, allegedly perpetrated by a 19-year-old Sri Lankan national, Canadian authorities are set to intensify existing measures aimed at safeguarding the mental well-being of students, Daily Mirror quoted a diplomatic source.
The accused, Febrio De-Zoysa, believed to be residing in Canada as a student, faces charges including six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, as disclosed by Ottawa police.
The victims, comprising six Sri Lankans, including young children and an infant, were fatally stabbed in their shared residence.
While concerns have emerged within the Sri Lankan community regarding potential repercussions on visa regulations, the diplomatic source assured that Canada views the incident as an isolated occurrence and does not intend to alter visa policies as a result.
Expressing sympathy and support for the affected community, the source emphasised Canada’s commitment to addressing mental health concerns among students, underscoring the need for robust support mechanisms.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by students abroad, efforts will be made to bolster the existing support system.
Meanwhile, Canadian immigration and constitutional law lawyer Viresh Fernando characterised the incident as an unprecedented tragedy, affirming Canada’s adherence to rule of law principles and a fair legal process.
Fernando underscored that Canada remains steadfast in upholding visa procedures and will not implement reactionary measures in response to isolated incidents.
As per the Criminal Code of Canada, if convicted, the accused could face concurrent life sentences with no parole for 25 years. The possibility of pleading not guilty by reason of insanity may lead to psychiatric evaluation and potential placement in a mental institution.
The legal process will involve rigorous scrutiny, with both the prosecution and defense presenting expert evidence to assess the accused party’s mental state.
