___________________________________________________
(1) Second, third and fourth tiers of Shwehtidaw hoisted on Shwedagon Ceremony continues according to rites for second day
YANGON 5 Apr - Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony of the Shwedagon Pagoda continued for the second day at Mingala Mandat at Aungmyay of Yahu (North-West) corner and Sunday (North-East) corner on the pagoda platform this morning.
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Maung Aye attended the ceremony and Patron of the Leading Committee for Perpetual All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt hoisted the second, third and fourth tiers of Shwehtidaw atop the pagoda.
Also present were Ovadacariya Sayadaws of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees and members of the Sangha, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo, members of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Tun Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, Auditor-General, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, Chairman of the Leading Committee for Perpetual All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and members, Chairman of Work Committee Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and members, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental officials, commanders of military regions, members of Division, District, Township and Ward Peace and Development Councils, members of Work Committee for holding of Shwehtidaw Hoisting Ceremony, members of Subcommittees, Myanmar engineers, members of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, members of religious and social organizations and wut associations, devotees and thousands of people.
The ceremony was held at Mingala Mandat in Aungmyay of Yahu (North-west) corner at 7.20 am. Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung acted as master of ceremonies.
The Secretary-l, the ministers and party, well-wishers and guests took the Nine Precepts from State Ovadacariya Sayadaw and Ovadacariya of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees Thiri Manta Sankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa.
The Secretary-l presented Hmankindaw, Seintaungdaw and offertories to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa.
The ministers, the deputy ministers and party also presented offertories to the Sayadaws.
Mingala silver conch shell and Aungsi Aungmaung Group, Daywawinj Shwehtidaw hoisting vehicles, Yazawin and wut associations took their respective places.
The second, third and fourth tiers of Shwehtidaw were conveyed from the Mingala Mandat at Aungmyay of Yahu (North-west) corner.
The Secretary-l, the ministers and party conveyed Mingala decorated float carrying Hmankindaw and Seintaungdaw.
Supervisory Committee for Shwehtidaw hoisting Technicians Group, Shwehtidaw hoisting Technicians work committee, Hanthawady Buddhist Missionary Group, Hanthawady Buddhist Missionary Group and Engineers Group of Yangon Technological University, accompanied by members of the Board of Trustees, Sithu Kyapya Group Teingya Htidaw hoisting Group, wut associations and well-wishers, also conveyed the parts of second, third and fourth tiers of Shwehtidaw from the Aungmyay of Yahu (Northwest) corner to Sunday (North-east) corner.
During the conveying of parts of the tiers of the Shwehtidaw, Teingya Group, Mingala Hsaing of Ministry of Culture and Mingala Royal drums presented entertainment with the Phontawbwe and dhamma songs.
On reaching the Sunday (North-East) corner, Mingala decorated float carrying Hmankindaw and Seintaungdaw took position.
General Maung Aye, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and the ministers conveyed the second, third and fourth tiers of the Shwehtidaw from vehicles to decorated carriage and sprayed scented water.
At the auspicious time, the ministers, well-wisher, and the people conveyed the second, third and fourth tiers top of the Shwedagon Pagoda with decorated carriage for nine times.
Ovadacariya Sayadaws of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, the Secretary-l and party and Myanmar engineers ascended the pagoda and offered the second, third and fourth tiers at 11.20 am.
The Secretary-l also fixed jewellery donated by well-wishers at the Shwehtidaw.
The Secretary-1 and party performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the success of the ceremony.
Earlier, the Secretary-l offered soon, water, flowers and lights to Gawnagon Buddha image in Gandakudi Taik at the southern stairway of the pagoda at 5 am.
Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party paid homage to Hsutaungpyi Padamya Myetshin Buddha image on the upper terrace of the pagoda and celestial beings.
Monks and well-wishers also offered soon, 9,000 fruits, 9,000 flowers and 9,000 lights to the Shwedagon Pagoda.
The fifth, sixth and seventh tiers of Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony continues tomorrow.
__________________________________
(2) Minister meets leader of Takarazuka Kagekidan
YANGON, 5 Apr - Minister for Culture U Win Sein met leader of Takarazuka Kagekidan of Japan Ms Yuri Haruna and members who called at his office at 10 am today.
Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt, directors-general of departments under the ministry and officials of the Japanese Embassy.
The troupe will entertain the public with admission fees of K 1,500, K 1,000 and K 500 at the National Theatre at 7 pm daily on 5 and 6 April.
__________________________________
(3) Deputy minister inspects 360-ton Rice Reprocessing Plant Construction Project
YANGON, 5 Apr - Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan arrived at 360-ton Rice Reprocessing Plant Construction Project in Hlinethaya this morning.
Deputy General Manager U Than Tun Aung reported on progress of construction project with the aid of charts.
The deputy minister inspected fund of 1997/98 financial year, completion of works, buildings and roads.
He then coordinated with officials on the plant to be completed in November and to be opened in December.
__________________________________
(4) Asian Juniors Badminton C'ship to be held in Yangon 11 to 17 July
YANGON, 5 Apr - Golden Eagle Asian Juniors Badminton Championship 1999 will be held in Yangon from 11 to 17 July, said an official of International Badminton Federation at a Press meet today.
Vice-President of IBF and Honorary Secretary General of Asian Badminton Confederation Mr Datuk Punch Gunalan also said "It is the Confederation's intention to take this Juniors Championship to developing countries and with this in mind, we are hosting this year' s Championship in Yangon."
The Championship will be held for both teams and individual events for boys and girls. The age limit for participants will be under 19 years by 1 January 1999.
Secretary General of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw extended greetings.
Title sponsor Mr Jeffrey Chandra of Myanmar Sampoerna Tobacco Company said Sampoerna has shown high commitment in badminton one of the most popular sports in Asia. He said they are proud to be able to participate in bringing one of the most popular event of ABC's calendar to Myanmar.
President of Myanmar Badminton Federation U Kyi Nyunt also spoke.
Patron of MBF U Khin Shwe, Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Hla Tun and local and foreign correspondents, officials, and guests also attended the Press meet which was held at Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel.
__________________________________
(5) Buddha Pujaniya of Shwedagon Pagoda packed with devotees
YANGON, 5 Apr - The Buddha Pujaniya of Shwehtidaw Hoisting Ceremony of the Shwedagon Pagoda was held on the lawns of Eastern Stairway at 8 pm today, packed with thousands of devotees.
Included in the Buddha Pujaniya were cultural variety show of Fine Arts Department, shops selling personal and household goods, merry-go-rounds and others.
Board of Trustees' Office on the terrace of the pagoda was crowded with those making donations for the Shwehtidaw.
Religious associations, charitable institutions and devotees offered 9,000 lights, 9,000 flowers and 9,000 fruits to the pagoda. Refreshments were provided to the devotees.
The Buddha Pujaniya will be held till 10 April 1999.
__________________________________
(6) Chinese education delegation leaves for home
YANGON, 5 Apr - A five-member Chinese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Education of the People's Republic of China Madam Wei Yu left here by air this morning.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards under the ministry and officials of the PRC Embassy.
__________________________________
(7) Ministers attend MGF President's Trophy Amateur Golf Tournament
YANGON, 5 Apr - The Myanmar Golf Federation President's Trophy Amateur Golf Tournament was held at Myanmar Golf Club, 9th-mile, yesterday.
It was attended by Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Vice-Chairman of MOC Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Secretary General of MOC Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw, Adviser Col Ngo Ciin Pau and officials.
__________________________________
(8) Deputy Minister for Health receives President of AMFA
YANGON, 5 Apr - Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo met President of AMFA Professor Alain Patel who called at his office this afternoon.
Also present at the call were officials of the Ministry of Health.
__________________________________
(9) Ma Moe Thu Aung wins 10 gold in SEA swimming contest
YANGON, 5 Apr - Ma Moe Thu. Aung of Myanmar won ten gold medals at South-East Asia age-wise swimming contests held in the Philippines from 2 to 4 April.
She won gold in 200-metre free style, 100-metre backstroke, 100-metre butterfly, 200-metre breaststroke, 100-metre free style, 100-metre breaststroke, 400-metre tetra event, 400-metre free style, 50-metre free style and 200-metre butterfly contests in 15-17 level.
Myanmar boy Maung Phyo Kyaw Thu won bronze in 50-metre backstroke in 11-12 level.
They will arrive back Myanmar by air on 7 April.
__________________________________
(10) 43 members resign from Myaung Township NLD
YANGON, 5 Apr - Forty-three members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Myaung Township, Sagaing Division.
Twenty-one members of Myaung Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Myaung Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 20 December 1998 and twenty-two members on 21 December 1998 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
__________________________________
(11) 64 members resign from Myittha Township NLD
YANGON, 5 Apr - Sixty-four members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Myittha Township, Mandalay Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Myittha Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 12 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
__________________________________
(12) Basic Executives' Multiplier Management Course No 1/99 concludes in Hsihseng
YANGON, 5 Apr - Cruise liner mv Astor, which arrived here under the arrangement of Myanma Tourism Services of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Myanmar Voyages International Tourism Co Ltd left here at 3.30 pm today.
The cruse liner is carrying 433 German tourists and 284 crew members.
They were seen off at Myanmar International Thilawa Terminal (MITT) in Thanlyin by officials of Myanma Tourism Services.
The tourists visited Yangon, Bago, Thanlyin and Bagan regions.