In a heartfelt tribute to the victims of a devastating family tragedy, grieving residents and members of the local Sri Lankan community in Ottawa came together for a somber vigil on Saturday, paying homage to those lost in what authorities have described as one of the city's worst mass killings in recent memory.
Amidst the rain-soaked atmosphere at Palmadeo Park in Barrhaven, mourners offered flowers, gifts, and prayers to honor the memory of a young mother, her four children, and a family friend who lost their lives on Wednesday night. The suspect, a 19-year-old Sri Lankan national residing with the victims, faces murder charges in connection with their deaths.
Among those in attendance were Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Police Chief Eric Stubbs, and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, joining the community in a poignant display of solidarity. Bhante Suneetha, a resident monk at the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya Buddhist Monastery where the family worshipped, offered solace with words of compassion.
In a touching gesture, flowers, toys, notes, and candles adorned a gazebo, beneath six balloons bearing the names of the victims: Darshani Ekanayake, Inuka Wickramasinghe, Ashwini, Ranyana, Kelly, and Ge Gamini Amarakoon. Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, the children's father and sole survivor, remains hospitalized, recovering from injuries sustained during the altercation with the suspect.
Community leaders reflected on the profound impact of the tragedy, emphasizing the rarity of such events within their close-knit Sri Lankan diaspora. Naradha Kodithuwakku, representing the Buddhist Congress of Canada, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and solidarity extended to the grieving family, acknowledging the strength drawn from community unity.
