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Friday, April 10, 2026

They're known for having sheltered Edward Snowden. Now settled in Montreal, this family looks to the future - CBC.ca

Supun Thilina Kellapatha, Nadeeka Dilrukshi Nonis struggle to find jobs, but their kids are thriving

Supun Thilina Kellapatha and Nadeeka Dilrukshi Nonis smiled as they watched their kids fling themselves in the freshly fallen snow last week.

"There is no snow in Sri Lanka or Hong Kong," Kellapatha said.

It's been four months since the family that helped shelter whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong arrived in Montreal after Canada granted them asylum. Now, they're embracing the frosty weather and their new life.

"My kids have good future in Montreal and it's a peaceful city," Kellapatha said.

Their journey, though, has been anything but easy.

Before their kids were born, Kellapatha and Nonis left Sri Lanka, seeking asylum in Hong Kong.

It was there that they met Snowden, a former contractor with the U.S. National Security Agency who had fled to Hong Kong after leaking classified documents. The documents exposed the scope of massive government surveillance operations.

Group of asylum seekers sheltered Snowden

The couple were among a group of asylum seekers who sheltered Snowden in 2013. Kellapatha said he believes it was destiny that brought Snowden to his door.

"I was born in Sri Lanka. I also have trouble, I want to leave out my country. I don't know why I chose Hong Kong," Kellapatha said from a park near their apartment in Montreal's St-Laurent borough.

"When [Snowden] wanted to get out, there are many countries in the world. He chose Hong Kong."

Kellapatha and his...



Read Full Story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/snowden-angels-family-1.6318775