DNA tests ordered to determine if couple are Baby 81’s parents

THE Sri Lankan tsunami survivor known as ‘Baby 81’ and the couple fighting a court battle to claim him were yesterday ordered by a judge to undergo DNA testing next Wednesday, and an official said results could be known within eight hours.

The judge also said he would consider ruling on the case much earlier than the April 20 date he previously set, raising hopes of a quick resolution to the couple's agonising custody battle.

Judge MP Mohaideen ordered DNA tests to determine whether Jenita Jeyarajah and her husband, Murugupillai, are the parents of the boy, who was found on a beach amid bodies and debris nine hours after the December 26 tsunami struck the Indian Ocean island.