Dec 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka police today found the baby who had gone missing from the Kalubowila hospital on last Tuesday (18).

Police acting on a tip received last evening, found the baby at a house at Thalapathpitiya, in the Mirihana Police Division this morning. The woman who is suspected of kidnapping the baby was also arrested.

The news of the missing baby hit the headlines in the local media last week as he had been stolen hours after his birth at the 21st Ward of Kalubowila Government Hospital. It was reported that the baby was kidnapped by an unidentified woman who had managed to win the confidence of the young mother while she had gone to the washroom.

According to the police the suspected woman has said that she had taken away the baby as she wanted to show her neighbours that she too can have a baby. However, police have found that the suspect already have two children. A few months ago a similar incident was reported in the same hospital.

According to investigations carried out in the past, forged birth certificates have been prepared and with the help of some unscrupulous lawyers, approval has been obtained from District Court to hand over the child for adoption. Foreigners reportedly reward the racketeers handsomely.

In Sri Lanka, a child could not be handed over for adoption without an order from a District Court.

The baby was temporary handed over to his parents by the courts this afternoon on a pending DNA test for identification.