Maldives telethon helps raise MVR 2M in 7 hours to aid cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

A telethon initiated by the Public Service Media (PSM) to assist the people affected by a devastating cyclone that hit Sri Lanka last week has helped raise MVR 2 million in just seven hours.

The telethon, which kicked off in a special ceremony held at a PSM studio at 09:00 am Sunday will continue until 01:00 am Monday.

The donations within the first seven hours amount to MVR 2.02 million – including MVR 1,441,463.44 million and USD 37,502.

Donations have come from state institutions, state-owned enterprises, private companies, as well as private citizens. This includes a donation of USD 25,000 from the Bank of Maldives (BML), a donation of USD 10,001 from Crown & Champa Resorts, and a donation of MVR 300,000 from the People’s National Congress (PNC).

The telethon is being held in collaboration with 37 media outlets, including Sun Siyam Media (SS Media). It’s outlets SSTV and Sun Online are covering the event, with SSTV broadcasting the event live and Sun Online publishing ongoing updates.

According to PSM, it has executed an agreement with Crowe Maldives, an independent audit firm, to manage the donations received through the telethon.

Donations can be made both in person and online under a telethon. They include:

• Maldivian Rufiyaa account number: 7730000796107

Account name: Ceylon aa eku Dhivehin

• US Dollar account number: 7730000796106

Account name: Ceylon aa eku Dhivehin

• Scanning QR code on TV screen
• Fund box at PSM
• Fund boxes across various areas in Male’ and Hulhumale’

Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread devastation in Sri Lanka. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that the death toll has risen to 159, with over 200 people still missing following landslides and floods triggered by torrential rains. More than 78,000 people have been displaced and moved to state-run welfare centres, while 20,000 homes have been damaged. About a third of the country is without electricity or running water.

Sri Lanka’s government has declared a state of emergency to expedite disaster response, including seeking international help. Evacuation orders are in place in some areas as water levels of the Kelani River continue to rise rapidly.

The cyclone, which formed to the west of the Bay of Bengal, passed over Sri Lanka on Saturday and is now heading toward the southern coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several coastal districts in Tamil Nadu, along with orange alerts for Puducherry, Karaikal, and nearby areas of Andhra Pradesh.