A baby found covered in mud after the tsunamis smashed into Sri Lanka's shores seven weeks ago was reunited with his parents at a courthouse here Wednesday, sparking celebrations in this remote town. Friends and relatives mobbed Junita and Murugpillai Jeyarajah as they left the district court here with their child, four-month-old Abilash, and headed for a local Hindu temple to dash 200 coconuts to thank the gods.

The boy was rescued from under a pile of garbage by a neighbour following the December 26 tsunami, and taken to the local hospital, where he was dubbed "baby 81" because he was the 81st patient admitted that day.

A judge ordered him reunited with his parents after DNA tests had proved their claim that the boy was theirs.

Local residents stopped the car carrying the happy family and hugged and kissed the baby, while bystanders clapped when they arrived at various temples to offer prayers.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005