Two decades after tsunami, 'Baby 81' embraces his unique identity

Rescued as an infant from the mud following the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and reunited with his parents after a dramatic legal battle, the boy once known as "Baby 81" is now 20 years old and aspires to pursue higher education.

Jayarasa Abilash's journey has become a symbol of hope amid the devastation caused by one of modern history's deadliest natural disasters. Sri Lanka alone lost over 35,000 lives, with many still unaccounted for.

At just 2 months old, Abilash was swept away by the tsunami in eastern Sri Lanka and later discovered by rescuers some distance from his home. Registered as patient number 81 at the hospital, he earned the moniker "Baby 81."

Murugupillai Jayarasa, Abilash's father, spent three days searching for his displaced family, possessing nothing but a pair of shorts. He first located his mother, then his wife, but their baby remained missing.

A nurse initially took the infant but returned him upon learning his parents were alive. However, the ordeal didn't end there. Nine other families claimed the baby, prompting the hospital to demand proof before handing him over.

The case escalated to the police and eventually to court, which ordered a DNA test—a relatively new process in Sri Lanka at the time. Despite public calls for DNA testing, none of the other claimants followed through. A DNA test ultimately confirmed Abilash belonged to the Jayarasa family, reuniting them and attracting international media attention. The family even traveled to the US for an interview.

Now preparing for his final high school exams, Abilash dreams of studying information technology at university. Though classmates once teased him with nicknames like "Baby 81" or "tsunami baby," causing embarrassment, he has since embraced his story.

Reflecting on his past struggles, Abilash recalled hiding from journalists revisiting his story each anniversary. His father reassured him, emphasizing his uniqueness.

As he matured, Abilash learned more about his experience and gradually shed his insecurities. Today, he humorously refers to "Baby 81" as his personal code word, joking that it's the easiest way to find him online.

Jayarasa still vividly remembers those desperate days, even as other memories fade. However, the attention their story garnered also brought challenges. The family faced exclusion from relief programs under the assumption they had received funds during their US trip. Gossip and jealousy further isolated them, leading to relocation.

Jayarasa hopes his son will remain thankful for their survival and use his experiences to assist others. Saving small sums from his hairdressing job, he built a memorial in their yard to honor tsunami victims when Abilash turned 12. The monument, featuring four cupped hands, serves as a daily reminder of loss and survival.

"Since many lives were lost and Abilash was spared, I felt compelled to create a memorial to honor those who passed," Jayarasa explained.