Maldives Emerges as Largest Donor to Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah

The Maldives has become the single largest donor of financial assistance to Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, according to a report by Ceylone Today. 

The outlet reported last Thursday that combined government and public contributions from the Maldives now exceed USD 2.4 million, placing it at the top of the international donor list in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Maldivian assistance includes USD 50,000 officially handed over by the Government, over USD 800,000 raised through a national telethon organised by Public Service Media, and substantial additional public donations that push total support well past USD 2.4 million.

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The outlet further reports that Sri Lanka has so far received more than USD 6.59 million in confirmed international financial assistance. While the Sri Lankan Government estimates reconstruction may cost up to USD 6–7 billion, the confirmed contributions mark the first significant wave of global humanitarian support since the cyclone.

The United States has pledged USD 2 million for relief operations, while China has committed an estimated USD 1.1 million through government channels, the Red Cross and contributions from the Chinese business community. The United Kingdom has also announced USD 890,000 (£675,000) in humanitarian assistance, delivered through the Red Cross, UN agencies and local organisations, with senior British officials reaffirming their support for Sri Lanka’s recovery.

According to Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror, Cyclone Ditwah has left 607 people dead and 214 missing, with more than 2 million individuals from over 586,000 families affected since severe weather began on 16 November. The Disaster Management Centre reported that 4,164 homes have been completely destroyed, while 67,505 have sustained partial damage.

The newspaper also reports that Sri Lanka’s tea industry has suffered significant setbacks, with damaged machinery expected to take months to repair as it must be sent overseas. Road damage is also likely to delay the distribution of tea exports, according to the Colombo Tea Traders Association.