A special telethon organized by Maldivian media has raised more than MVR 11.6 million to support neighboring Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.  
The telethon, which began at 09:00 hours on Sunday and concluded on Monday afternoon, collected MVR 11,015,854.65 and USD 43,681.31 in donations.  
The nationwide effort saw participation from numerous media outlets and the placement of 18 donation boxes across the Greater Male' area, including Male', Hulhumale', and Vilimale'.  
Audit firm Crowe Maldives is overseeing the counting process and will release the final verified figures later Monday evening, according to state broadcaster PSM.  
Sri Lankans in Maldives at the Ceylon aaeku Dhivehin telethon organised by Maldivian media to raise fund to help Sri Lanka disaster families, November 30, 2025. (Photo/PSM)
Significant contributions were made by government agencies and organizations:  
The Maldives Police Service made the largest single donation of MVR 2.4 million  
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) contributed MVR 1 million  
The Maldivian government pledged USD 50,000 in direct aid and 25,000 cases of canned tuna as part of its official relief package  
Public participation was also strong, with thousands contributing through donation boxes and telethon pledges.  
Cyclone Ditwah has been described as one of the deadliest weather disasters in Sri Lanka since the June 2003 floods, which killed 254 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. The current disaster has left hundreds dead and missing, with widespread damage across the island.