Some 200 people gathered for a public multi-faith funeral service in Ottawa on Sunday to mourn the six individuals who were tragically killed over a week ago in Barrhaven, a suburb of the city. The service, organized by the Buddhist Congress of Canada (BCC), took place at the Infinity Convention Centre and honored the victims: a family from Sri Lanka who were newcomers to Canada and their friend.
According to police reports, four children and two adults lost their lives inside a townhouse in south Ottawa on March 6. The victims included Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, 35, along with her three daughters and son, as well as their family friend, 40-year-old Gamini Amarakoon. The father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, survived the attack but sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
During the funeral service, Buddhist monks from Toronto and Ottawa led prayers and performed traditional funeral customs. Wickramasinghe was present at the service but did not speak to the media. In a statement issued afterward, he expressed his gratitude to various groups for their support during the difficult time.
Dishani Asangika Fernando, the wife of the family friend who was killed, also shared a heartfelt message in a video played at the funeral. The tragic incident has left the Sri Lankan and immigrant communities in Barrhaven deeply affected.
Several Canadian dignitaries, including Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, spoke at the funeral to offer their condolences and support to the victims’ families. The suspect, Febrio De-Zoysa, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and is currently in protective custody.
The BCC president, Naradha Kodituwakku, described the tragedy as devastating and emphasized the need for community support during such challenging times. The funeral service aimed to honor the memories of the victims and provide comfort to their loved ones as they navigate through this tragic loss.
Source link
