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Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, his hand bandaged, his face bruised, joined hundreds in the Ottawa community Sunday to mourn the deaths of his wife, their four children and a family friend, all killed in a brutal attack in a Barrhaven home less than two weeks ago. 

“I am devastated and torn by the loss,” he said in a statement delivered following an emotional multi-faith funeral service at the Infinity Convention Centre. It was one of two services held to honour the family and their friend on the weekend.

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Five hearses parked outside the centre where the Sunday service was held. Inside, at the front of the room, were white and brown coffins, some very small, and framed photos of the victims. Wreaths and flowers adorned the stage, with religious leaders seated to the right and left.

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

The six died 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 had moved into a Berrigan Drive home last July, is survived by husband and father Wickramasinghe. His father and brother attended the Sunday event with him. After opening remarks were delivered, he and other family members participated in an offering ceremony, led by Bhante Suneetha, 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. Many wept.

Wickramasinghe knelt with his family in front of a group of monks during the ceremony, performing traditional rituals of offering cloth and pouring water.

Amarakoon, the family friend who was killed, left behind a wife, Dishani, and two children, Asheri and Kaylee, who live in Sri Lanka. Recordings from Amarakoon’s wife and from Asheri Hiyansa Amarakoon, 11, were played at the ceremony.

Father Pierre Champoux of Saint Monica Parish, who had taken part in the earlier, Saturday ceremony, told those in attendance, “I don’t think anything can prepare us for a moment like this.

“All of us were caught off guard a week ago when we read about the tragic events of the family.”

“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loves ones,” said Vincenza Nicoletti, principal of Monsignor Paul Baxter School, which two of the children attended. “We will certainly miss their kindness.”

Sharing messages at the service from school staff, Nicoletti said Inuka was a “cherished friend” to all, often seen playing soccer with friends at recess. Ashwini, she said, was a treasured member of the kindergarten class. First quiet, shy and inquisitive, Ashwini quickly became more talkative and loved to make others “laugh and smile.

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“To the families who have been directly impacted and to Mr. Wickramasinghe, please know that you are not alone,” Nicoletti said. “Let us lean on each other for strength and comfort in the days ahead.”

“The pain felt by many has expanded beyond Canada and into Sri Lanka,” said Chandra Arya, MP for Nepean.

Others in attendance included Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, MPP Lisa MacLeod, Police Chief Eric Stubbs and Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a message of condolence.

Naradha Kodituwakku, director of the Buddhist Congress of Canada, shared a message from Wickramasinghe after the service. “This tragedy has shaken my family deeply,” the message said. “I am devastated and torn by the loss of my beloved wife Darshani and my beautiful angels Inuka, Ranaya, Ashwini and Kelly and my dear friend, Gamini.”

Wickramasinghe thanked first responders, police and The Ottawa Hospital, which he said helped him “navigate through the initial shock and chaos that followed because of this tragedy.”  He also thanked the community and the public for their support.

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Saturday mourners at the Catholic St. Monica Parish in Nepean also expressed their sorrow. Damithri Silva, one of the event organizers, said, “We just wanted to do what we could as fellow Barrhaven community members, fellow Sri Lankans, just to be able to do our part.

“We all identify with coming to Canada to make your life better. They had that taken away from them.”

Tharuka Fernando, who took part in that service, said she went to school with Amarakoon’s wife in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2007. She learned from social media that her old friend’s husband had died.

“ … when I went through his Facebook profile, I saw his wife and I got really shocked,” Fernando said. “I was like ‘I know this girl. She’s my schoolmate.’”

Fernando said the two had since been in touch. “She’s strong, but she’s shocked,” Fernando said.

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.

A GoFundMe was set up for the family and as of Sunday, had raised about $206,000.

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