Baby 81: Sri Lankan Boy Pursues Education

Jayarasa Abilash, known globally as 'Baby 81', is now a 20-year-old aspiring information technology student, having been rescued as an infant from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka. Abilash was swept away at just two months old, later found and registered as patient No. 81 at the hospital, which led to an emotional court battle as nine other families claimed him. His father, Murugupillai Jayarasa, searched for three days before being reunited with his family after a DNA test confirmed their parentage. Abilash's story symbolizes resilience and hope amidst the tragedy that claimed over 35,000 lives in Sri Lanka. Though initially embarrassed by his nickname, he has since embraced it, viewing it as a 'code word' representing his unique identity. Now preparing for his final high school exams, Abilash aims to leverage his experiences to help others in the future.