A 79-year-old Sri Lankan grandmother won an 11th-hour reprieve from deportation so she can continue to help her daughter and family devastated by the murder of her 16-year-old grandson in Brampton.
“Mrs. Watte-Liyanage has been so important for the emotional welfare of her Canadian family, holding them together as they grieve the tragic death of her grandson,” said Alykhan Velshi, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.
“I can only imagine the stress and heartbreak it would cause for her to return home while her permanent residency application is processed. In light of these extraordinary circumstances, the minister is issuing a temporary resident permit, which will allow her to remain in Canada while her … application is being processed.”
Upendra Perera Watte-Liyanage came to Canada on a temporary visa shortly after her grandson, Akila Geegana Badhanage, an honour student and athlete at North Park Secondary School, was swarmed and stabbed to death Sept. 28, 2007.
