Maldives Telethon Raises $800,000 for Sri Lankan Cyclone Relief

The 'Ceylon Aa Eku Dhivehin' telethon has successfully raised $800,352 for Sri Lankan communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Public Service Media (PSM) and nearly 40 local media outlets collaborated on the 29-hour fundraising marathon that concluded on December 1. At a ceremony held at PSM studios on Monday, Deputy Managing Director Abdulla Yameen Rasheed formally presented the funds to Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel. The minister confirmed the aid would be dispatched to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, praising the initiative for strengthening fraternal bonds between the two nations. The telethon ran from 9:00 am on November 30 through 2:00 pm on December 1, with Crowe Maldives serving as official audit partner throughout the process. The accounting firm worked closely with PSM from the campaign's inception through the final fund counting after the fundraising deadline. PSM expressed gratitude to all participants and contributors who supported the humanitarian effort, highlighting the Maldivian community's solidarity with their Sri Lankan neighbors during times of crisis. The successful campaign demonstrates the power of media collaboration in mobilizing support for international relief efforts.