The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel on Tuesday estimated that the total aid collected for Sri Lanka to help victims of Cyclone Ditwah would exceed USD 2.4 million, emphasising the deep fraternal bonds between the two nations.
The announcement was made during the handover ceremony of the proceeds from a collaborative TV telethon ‘Ceylon aa Eku Dhivehin’ organised by PSM and local media outlets.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Khaleel highlighted that the telethon raised over USD 800,000 with contributions from across the Maldives, proving that the Maldivian people readily respond when neighbouring countries are in need.
The total aid package, which will be officially handed over to the Sri Lankan government later Tuesday, includes the telethon proceeds, contributions from private businesses, and initial government assistance comprising USD 50,000 in cash and 25,000 cases of canned tuna fish.
The Minister highlighted that the Maldives was among the first nations to provide assistance under the initiative of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, noting that this effort demonstrated that although Maldives is a small country, it would be one of the first countries to help its neighbours.