Memorial ceremony underway for six victims of Barrhaven killings

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Hundreds attended a multi-faith funeral service in Ottawa Sunday afternoon for the victims of the March 6 mass killing in Barrhaven. It was the second memorial service to the family this weekend.

News media were at the Infinity Convention Centre hours before the service, with a majority of attendees arriving after noon; the service began at 1 p.m. Five hearses were parked outside of the building. While the service was public, The Buddhist Congress of Canada (BCC) said family were asking for privacy as they mourn.

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On the stage were white and brown coffins and framed photos of the victims. Wreaths and flower displays were set up across the stage, with religious leaders seated to the right.

“It’s absolutely heart-wrenching,” said Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Canada, before the ceremony began. “I’m here to express my solidarity and support.” Hundreds attended, including Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

The event follows a memorial mass held at the St. Monica Parish in Nepean on Saturday morning organized by the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group, which more than 100 people attended.

Six people lost their lives on March 6 in what police said was the worst mass killing in Ottawa’s recent history. Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, 35, and her four children — son Inuka, 7, and daughters Ashwini, 4, Ranaya, 3 and Kelly, two months — were killed, along with Gamini Amarakoon, a 40-year-old acquaintance of the family who was also living in the home.

The Barrhaven family, who moved into the Berrigan Drive home last July, is survived by husband and father Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, who was seriously injured in the attack. He, his father and brother attended the Sunday event. After opening remarks were delivered, he and other family members participated in an offering ceremony, led by Bhanthe Sumanarathana, a friend and resident monk at the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya Buddhist Monastery.

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Some people in the crowd stood, bowing their heads and clasping their hands as those in the room took part in a group prayer.

Wickramasinghe and his family knelt in front of a group of monks during the ceremony, performing traditional rituals of offering cloth and pouring water. “To my departed relatives may they be well and happy,” said Sumanarathana.

Amarakoon left behind a wife, Dishani, and two children, Asheri and Kaylee, who live in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist Congress of Canada (BCC) said a statement from Wickramasinghe would be released to the media at the conclusion of the service.

Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with the March 6 attack. He made a second court appearance by video on Thursday and is scheduled for another appearance on March 28.

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