A nationwide telethon organised by Public Service Media (PSM) in partnership with 37 local media outlets has concluded with overwhelming public support, raising more than USD 782,300 to aid Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The fundraising programme, titled “Ceylon Aa Eku Dhivehin”, began at 9:00 a.m. on 30 November and continued non-stop until 2:00 p.m. on 1 December. Thousands of Maldivians — including individuals, government ministries, state agencies, private companies, clubs, associations and media organisations — contributed to the effort through bank transfers and donation boxes placed across Malé City.
PSM reported that the telethon generated over 240 million Sri Lankan Rupees in total, marking one of the most successful short-duration fundraising events ever organised in the Maldives. Organisers said the level of public engagement highlighted the deep and longstanding ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, which hosts one of the largest Maldivian communities living abroad.
According to official figures, more than MVR 11 million and USD 43,681.31 were deposited into the Bank of Maldives account designated for the relief campaign. Additional contributions from physical donation boxes are still being counted, and authorities expect the final figure to rise further once the tally is completed.
State security forces made some of the largest donations. The Maldives Police Service contributed over MVR 2.4 million, while the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) donated MVR 1 million. Government institutions, state-owned companies, private sector businesses, NGOs and individual citizens also played a major role in the nationwide effort.
Organisers said the telethon demonstrated the strong bond between the two nations and the Maldivian public’s solidarity with Sri Lanka during a period of hardship and recovery.
