Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, has voiced a heartfelt appeal for solidarity and support as his country struggles with the devastation caused by Cyclone "Ditwah".

Speaking live during the nationwide telethon “Ceylon Aaeku Dhiveheen” (Maldivians with Ceylon), he described the situation in Sri Lanka as deeply distressing, highlighting displaced families, missing persons, and widespread damage to homes and livelihoods.

The telethon, led by Public Service Media (PSM) in collaboration with multiple media partners including Voice, aims to mobilize donations from across the Maldives to support emergency relief and recovery efforts in Sri Lanka.

Running until 1:00 a.m., the programme features live segments with senior officials, public figures, and volunteers who are urging viewers to contribute funds, food, and essential supplies.

Speaking during the telethon, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, described the situation in Sri Lanka as deeply distressing, with families displaced, communities cut off, and reports of missing persons still emerging. 

He noted that rainfall has begun to ease, but vast areas, including key agricultural regions, remain badly affected and in urgent need of relief.

The High Commissioner expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Maldivian authorities, and the public for their rapid and generous response.

The envoy noted that rescue operations are ongoing, with volunteer forces and private organizations using helicopters and boats to reach affected communities.

Relief efforts are now focusing on the most severely impacted agricultural regions, where flooding has crippled food supplies and infrastructure.

The High Commissioner also reflected on nearly six decades of close ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, saying Maldivians “do not feel like foreigners” in Sri Lanka and that the relationship is built on history, culture, and genuine people-to-people bonds. 

He said the compassion shown through the telethon sends a powerful message of solidarity, adding that Sri Lankans are determined to recover with resilience, strengthened by the support of their Maldivian “brothers and sisters.”