"Maldivians with Ceylon" telethon starts

The "Maldivians with Ceylon" telethon, aimed at assisting Sri Lankan affected by Cyclone Ditwah, has commenced this morning. 

The telethon is being conducted by state media PSM in collaboration with some other local media outlets. It started at 9am this morning and will continue until 1am tomorrow. 

The telethon is seeing participation from 26 media outlets. 

As part of the telethon, fund donation boxes have been set up at various locations in Male', Hulhumale' and Vilimale'. Donations can also be sent in via bank transfers or cheques. 

Donations in Maldivian Rufiya (MVR) can be deposited to BML account number 7730000796107. Donations in USD can be sent to BML account number 7730000796106. 

PSM organized the telethon to facilitate a way for Maldivians to offer assistance to close neighbour Sri Lanka in this time of hardship. Maldivians and Sri Lankans have a historically strong relationship. 

The government has also announced that Maldives is donating USD 50,000 and 25,000 cases of tuna cans to Sri Lanka. 

The death toll from the flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has now reached 159, with many more still unaccounted for. Sri Lanka has also announced a State of Emergency on Saturday.