(1) Senior General Than Shwe and party pay obeisance to pagodas in Bagan
YANGON, 18 Apr - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, together with Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party, paid obeisance to Ananda Pagoda in Bagan-NyaungU at 5.30 pm on 17 April.
Senior General Than Shwe donated cash toward the pagoda funds.
The Senior General and party proceeded to Shwezigon Pagoda and paid homage to it.
Then, the Senior General and party also paid obeisance to Alodawpyi Pagoda Senior General Than Shwe and party paid obeisance to Lawkananda Tooth Relic Pagoda and donate cash to the pagoda funds.
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(2) Tatmadawmen totally undertaking building of Taungdwingyi-Magway railroad
YANGON, 18 Apr - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party, this morning helicoptered to Saingkya Village Camp, Magway Township, Magway Division, where Taungdwingyi-Magway rail road is being built.
They were welcomed there by Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Commander of No 88 LID Brig-Gen Aye Kywe, senior military officers and families.
At the camp, U Pan Aung reported on progress of work in building Taungdwingyi-Magway rail road, condition of bridges and construction of Yin Creek Bridge, the biggest one in the project.
Brig-Gen Aye Kywe reported on earthwork of 54.1 2-mile long Taungdwingyi-Magway railroad being built only with the labour of the Tatmadawmen, efforts strenuously made by the Tatmadawmen, welfare work, planting trees, regional development work and assistance of the local people.
Deputy General Manager Civil of Myanma Railways U Moe Naing explained matters related to building the railroad and bridges.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe called for completion of building Taungdwingyi-Magway railroad in March, 1999, and presented gifts to the Tatmadawmen through Brig-Gen Aye Kywe.
Later, the Senior General greeted the Tatmadawmen who were doing earthwork for the railroad.
Visits
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo accompanying Senior General Than Shwe, together with Commander of No 101 LID Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and department heads, inspected the Basic Education High School in Bagan.
Headmistress Daw Khin Aye Myint briefed the Secretary-2 on a brief account of the school, the strength of staff, academic matters, buildings of the school and requirements.
The Secretary-2 gave instructions on forming band troupes for BEHSs from Bagan and NyaungU, planting, trees in the compound of the schools and renovation of the school buildings which need repairing.
Afterwards, the Secretary-2 and party went to U Ba Nyein Lacquerware Shop.
They observed sale and production of Lacquerware.
U San Myint, son of U Ba Nyein, presented a souvenir to the Secretary-2.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo cordially conversed with tourists form France who were observing and buying lacquerware, and posed for souvenir photos.
Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo went to the regional battalion, and cordially met the Tatmadawmen and families.
The Secretary-2 also inspected briquette production at the regional battalion in NyaungU yesterday afternoon.
Next, they went to the Myanma Lacquerware Institute.
Director-General of the Cottage Industries Dr Than Htaik reported on the construction of buildings of the institute and courses being conducted.
Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San gave a supplementary report.
Later, the Secretary-2 and party inspected production of lacquerware and the Lacquerware Museum.
In the Lacquerware Museum, various kinds of lacquerware of Bagan, Inwa, Konbaung (Amarapura) and Konbaung (Yadanabon) eras, early 13th century and present period are exhibited.
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(3) Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presents prizes to winners of 1998 Myanmar National Open Sailing championship
YANGON, 18 Apr - Secretary-1 of the, State Peace and Development Council President of Myanmar Olympic Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented prizes to winners of the 1998 Myanmar National Open Sailing- Championship organized by Myanmar Yachting Federation at Yangon Sailing Club, Inya Lake, this evening.
Present also were Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Min Thein, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Sports Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Brig-Gen Sein Win, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, President of Myanmar Yachting Federation Deputy Minister for Industry-2 U Thein Tun, presidents, secretaries and members of sports federations, athletes, families and guests.
Brig-Gen Sein Win and U Thein Tun spoke on the occasion.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented first prize to the pair of Nyan Lin Naung and Aye Aung, second to the pair Ponnya Kyaw and Thuta Kyaw and third to the pair Tun Tun Kyaw and Min Zaw for the Rater Class.
Brig-Gen Sein Win gave away first prize to the pair Ponnya Kyaw and Ye Kyaw Swa, second to the pair Nyan Lin Naung and Tin Hla and third to the pair Zaw One and Sithu Moe Myint for the Sharpie A Class.
Lt-Gen Min Thein presented first prize to the pair Sithu Moe Myint and Zaw One, second to the pair Aung Kyaw and Tin Hla and third to the pair Win Kyaw Phyoe and Maung Maung Aye for the Sharpie B Class.
Maj-Gen Ket Sein gave away first prize to the pair Win Kyaw Phyoe and Sithu Moe Myint, second to the pair Su Myat Soe and Zaw One and third to the pair Nyan Lin Naung and Ponnya Kyaw for the International 420 Open Class.
U Than Aung presented first prize to Aung Kyaw second to Aung Kyaw Win and third to Sithu Moe Myint for the International Laser Open Class.
Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe presented first prize to Lin Thit, second to Aung Myin Thu and third to Phone Kyaw Moe Myint for the Optimist Classes.
U Thein Tun gave away first prize to Than Htut Nyunt, second to Mawra Su Zar and third to Zin Nwe for the Optimist Intermediate Class.
Brig-Gen Maung Nyo presented first prize to Aung Min, second to Hlaing Tun and third to Poe Ei Phyu, fourth to Thant Zin Tun and fifth to Zaw Lin Tun for the Optimist Basic Class.
Then, the prize-distribution ceremony concluded with songs sung by youngsters of the Yangon Sailing Club.
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(4) Secretary-1 inspects regional development tasks and general renovation of pagodas in Kyauktan Township
YANGON, 18 Apr - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected regional development and general renovation of Sutaungpyi Pada Hsandawshin Pagoda in Kyauktan Township today.
The Secretary-l first arrived at Basic Education High School No 2 in Kyauktan at 1.30 pm today.
He was accompanied by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Sint, officials of Office of the State Peace and Development Council, departmental heads and officials.
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(5) Cash donations for International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
YANGON, 18 Apr - A ceremony to donate cash for the Construction of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University was held at Wizaya Dhamma Thabin, Kaba Aye, this morning.
Present were the Minister and the Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and directors-general of the departments.
Mr Takesaburo Mashimo handed Yen 1 million donated by nun Komatsu Chikosama of Kyoto, Japan, for the third time.
Nun Thera Nandi (a) Ma Shin Hnin Aye handed 40 Pitakas books in Pali and the minister, 11 Pitakas books in English to Myanmar Ambassador to the US U Tin Win for monks residing in the US.
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(6) Tonga Premier, more delegates arrive to attend FAO Regional Conference
YANGON, 18 Apr- A three-member delegation led by Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Mines Mr Baron Vaea of the Republic of Tonga arrived here by air this afternoon to attend the 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.
Similarly, a six-member delegation of Japan, a three member delegation of Socialist Republic of Vietnam and four representatives of the FAO South-East Asia office arrived here by air this evening.
They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Chairman of 24th FAO Regional Conference Organizing Work Committee Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Secretary Director-General Dr Mya Maung of Agricultural Planning Department, FAO Resident Representative Dr Prem Nath, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and departmental officials.
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(7) Yangon City chess team arrives back
YANGON, 18 Apr - Yangon City chess team led by team manager Director U Ko Ko Hlaing of Fire Services Department arrived back here by air yesterday evening after taking part in the 10th Asia City International Chess Tournament which was held in Genting Highland of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
They were welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Secretary-General of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General Col Hla Myint Kyaw of Sports and Physical Education Department and officials.
Zaw Oo (Defence) won one gold at No 3 table, Zaw Win (Agriculture and Irrigation) and Dr Aung Thant Zin (YCDC) also won gold each at No 4 table in the individual event.
Zaw Win won silver and Aung Myo Hlaing (Forestry) won bronze in the individual rapid event.
Myanmar team secured three gold, one silver and one bronze. Altogether 26 teams of Asian countries took part in the tournament.
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(8) Myanmar New Year Day marked in Pathein
YANGON, 18 Apr - A ceremony to recite parittas for Myanmar New Year Day was held at Sasana Beikmandaw in Pathein at 5 pm on 17 April Myanmar New Year Day, 1360 ME.
It was attended by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Brig-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and wife, Deputy Commander Col Tint Swe and Tactical Operations Commanders, members of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council, divisional officials and their wives, wut associations and guests.
State Ovadasariya Yaykyi Mingala Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Indobhasa invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. The commander and wife and officials donated offertories to members of the Sangha who recited parittas.
Then, member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Nyaungbintha Kyaung Sayadaw Maha Ganthavasaka Pandita Bhaddanta Visuta delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.
A ceremony to collectively free fish was held at Kyaukngu Jetty of No 6 Ward in Pathein on 8 am. Members of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council, departmental officials and residents freed a total of 54,000 fishes into Ngawun River.
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(9) Deputy Minister for Forestry tours Magway Division
YANGON, 18 Apr - Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun inspected projects for conservation of forests in Magway Division on 13 and 14 April.
He arrived at the 7,318-acre Hsinka Reserve Forest, which is covered by the Project for Greening of the Dry Zone, on 13 April.
After hearing reports on the reserve forest presented by officials of Arid Zones Greening Department of Magway Division, the Deputy Minister gave suggestions.
He toured Thabyaykan Forest Nursery, which grows 10,240 seedlings, in Seikphyu Township, the nursery which is established with 150,000 seedling for greenings of Tetma Hill in Pauk Township and Letpankan Nursery with 90,000, seedlings in Pakokku Township.
On 14 April, he inspected the nursery of Kyaukhtattaung Reserve Forest in Yezagyo Township, breeding of golden deer and afforestation at Shinmadaaung Reserve Forest, and nurseries and firewood plantations.
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(10) Families of Cooperatives Ministry free fish
YANGON, 18 Apr - Staff families of Head Office of Cooperatives Department, Cooperative Export Import Enterprise and Cottage Industries Department under the Ministry of Cooperatives set over 3,000 fish free at the lake in the precinct of Tooth Relic Pagoda on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township yesterday, the first day of the Myanmar New Year, as part of Jivitadana.
Present on the occasion were Managing Director of Cooperative Export Import Enterprise Daw Khin Swe Soe, Deputy Director-General of Cooperatives Department U Than Aung and officials of the ministry.
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(11) Mandalay Maha Thingyan ends with prize distribution ceremony
YANGON, 18 Apr - Maha Thingyan Festival ended with a prize distribution ceremony of decorated float and Thingyan pandal competitions in Mandalay on 16 April, Thingyan Atet Day.
Mandalay Thingyan merrymakers enjoyed the festival in accordance with Myanmar cultural traditions.
On Thingyan Atet Day, the final day of the festival, Thingyan pandals on the road along Mandalay Moat were crowded with revelers enjoying water throwing the whole day.
Film stars and famous vocalists entertained them.
In the evening, a prize distribution ceremony of decorated float and pandal competitions and photo contest was held at Mandalay Mayor's Pandal.
It was attended by Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Yan Thein, the wife of the Mayor of Mandalay, Secretary of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Ohn and officials.
Brig-Gen Yan Thein and officials presented prizes to winners in respective competitions.
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(12) Families of Office of State Peace and Development Council, central offices free animals, donate blood
YANGON, 18 Apr - Staff families of Office of the State Peace and Development Council and central offices offered dawn soon to Sayadaws and members of the Sangha at Pyithu Hluttaw building this morning, marking the first day of Myanmar New Year.
Present on the occasion were Padana Nayaka Sayadaw of Aletawya Pariyatti Sarthintaik of Bahan Township Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Sisacarabhivamsa and members of the Sangha, directors-general and staff families of the offices.
After the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha recited the parittas, staff families offered alms to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.
Afterwards, they went to Hlawga Lake in Mingaladon Township and set freed over 5,000 fish and 300 birds there as part of the Jivitadana.
They then donated blood at Defence Services General Hospital,
Registration Officer of DSGH Lt-Col Hla Tun presented certificates of honour to them through General Staff Officer (Grade I) Lt-Col Ba Myint.
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(13) Minister for Industry-l meets Township USDA executives
YANGON, 18 Apr - Central Executive Committee member of Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met executives and organizers of Kyaukpadaung Township USDA at the office on 16 April afternoon.
At 7 pm, the CEC member also met executives and organizers of Magway Division
USDA in the hall of the Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, and fulfilled the
needs.