Telethon to aid Sri Lanka raises MVR 900,000 in 5 hours

The PSM-led telethon, named "Maldivians with Ceylon", along with other local media outlets to aid Sri Lanka in overcoming the damages they were dealt due to Cyclone Ditwah has seen more than MVR 900,000 and USD raised within five hours.

The telethon started at 9am this morning and will continue until 1am midnight.

PSM Deputy Managing Director Abdulla Yameen Rasheed has told Mihaaru News that MVR 813,590 and more than USD 11,000 was raised by 2:00pm. Crown and Champa Resorts donated the most amount of USD, at USD 10,001.

Fund boxes have been set up in various areas in Male', Hulhumale' and Villimale for the telethon.

Yameen stated that counting of the fund boxes will begin at midnight. However, funds will still be counted up until midnight, said Yameen.

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.