KURUKKAL MADAM, Sri Lanka — Rescued from the debris of the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Jayarasa Abilash, formerly known as “Baby 81”, is now a 20-year-old with aspirations of furthering his education. His remarkable journey, emblematic of the countless families disrupted by the tragedy, showcases both grief and resilience. The tsunami claimed over 35,000 lives in Sri Lanka, leaving numerous others unaccounted for.
At just two months old, Jayarasa was separated from his family when the tsunami struck the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. Fortunately, he was later discovered by rescuers and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was assigned the identifier “Baby 81”. Meanwhile, his father, Murugupillai Jayarasa, was frantic, having spent three harrowing days searching for his loved ones with virtually nothing but the clothes on his back.
In his search, he first located his wife and then his mother, but the whereabouts of their baby remained unknown. A nurse at the hospital had taken the infant home but returned him upon learning that his family was alive. However, the struggle for the child’s custody only intensified, as nine other families claimed that “Baby 81” belonged to them. Hospital officials thus refused to release the baby to Jayarasa’s family without proper documentation.
Desperate to reclaim their son, the family sought assistance from law enforcement, leading to a courtroom confrontation. The judge mandated a DNA test, a relatively new procedure in Sri Lanka at the time. However, none of the other claimants pursued legal claims or DNA testing. Jayarasa recounted, “The hospital referred to the child as ‘Baby 81’ and listed nine claimants, excluding us.” His family, on the other hand, did provide DNA samples, which eventually confirmed their parentage.
Following the court’s ruling, the reunion occurred, drawing significant media attention that included an interview in the United States. Today, Abilash is focused on his education, preparing for his final high school examinations, with hopes of studying information technology at university. Despite the fame surrounding his nickname, Abilash recalls being teased by classmates who referred to him as “Baby 81” or “tsunami baby,” leading to feelings of embarrassment, particularly during the tsunami anniversary.
“I used to think, ‘Here comes the anniversary, I need to hide,’” he admitted, noting that the attention often made him uncomfortable. His father recognized the toll it took on him, recalling instances when Abilash would refuse to eat. “I reminded him, ‘You are unique for having such a name in this world,’ to help comfort him,” said Jayarasa.
As he matured, Abilash started learning about the tsunami that changed his life and gradually overcame his earlier apprehensions. He acknowledged that while the nickname will likely follow him forever, he now views it as a part of his identity. “I just see it as my code word now,” he joked. “If you want to find me, just use that code.”
His father, however, still vividly remembers the frantic days following the tsunami. The family’s extensive media coverage had a dual impact: while it brought attention to their plight, it also led to exclusion from many relief programs. Officials assumed they had financial support after their American interviews, resulting in exclusion from assistance and leading to community jealousy and gossip that forced them to move.
Jayarasa hopes to instill gratitude in Abilash for their survival, aspiring for his son to become someone who aids those in need. Since Abilash was a child, his father has saved small amounts of his earnings from hairdressing to establish a tribute for the tsunami victims in their yard, manifested in the design of four cupped hands.
He expressed the sentiment behind this notion: “A thought crossed my mind—since those lost have departed, leaving Abilash with us, why not create a memorial to honor them and keep their memory alive every single day?”
