Wed Dec 25 07:31:59 UTC 2024: ## Tsunami Survivor ‘Baby 81’ Now 20, Dreams of University

**Kurukkal Madam, Sri Lanka –** Twenty years after being miraculously reunited with his parents following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Jayarasa Abilash, once known as “Baby 81,” is preparing for his final high school exams. His story, a symbol of both tragedy and hope amidst the loss of over 35,000 lives in Sri Lanka, continues to resonate.

Pulled from the mud as a two-month-old infant, Abilash’s journey to reunification was fraught with challenges. Initially listed as “Baby 81” at the hospital, nine other families claimed him, leading to a court battle and a DNA test that ultimately proved his parentage. The family’s ordeal drew international attention, including an interview in the U.S.

While Abilash cherishes his story, the notoriety has also had its drawbacks. He endured years of teasing from classmates, leading to periods of intense distress. However, he has since embraced his unique past, seeing his nickname as a “code word.”

His father, Murugupillai Jayarasa, recounts the frantic search for his family and the years of hardship that followed, including exclusion from tsunami relief programs and social ostracism. Despite the challenges, he has instilled gratitude in his son and hopes Abilash will use his experiences to help others. The family’s home now features a memorial to the tsunami victims. Abilash, now a determined young man, aspires to study information technology at university.

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