N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Tuesday, 23 November 1999)

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(1)Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing offer Shwekya Thingan to Tooth Relic Pagoda
YANGON, 22 Nov - The fourth Buddha Pujaniya of Vandahta Datuzediya Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon) continued for the second day in the Gandhakutitaik of the Pagoda on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township this morning.
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Shwekya Thingan to Buddha images and presented offertories to the Sayadaws.
At 5.30 am, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered soon to 45 Sayadaws.
The Sayadaws consecrated the Tooth Relic Pagoda and Vatima Mudra Buddha images.
On behalf of Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Nine Precepts.
The Sayadaws then recited Parittas.
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented offertories to Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita.
Afterwards, Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing shared merits gained.
Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Shwekya Matho Thingan woven at Shwekya Matho Thingan Weaving Competition held previous evening to Dhamma Cakka Mudra Buddha image in the Gandhakutitaik of the Pagoda.
After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the deputy prime ministers, the ministers, the deputy ministers and their wives, service personnel, associations and well-wishers donated offertories worth K 7.4 million on the pagoda platform.
Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing then paid obeisance to the Tooth Relic Pagoda.

(2)Senior General Than Shwe and, Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend fourth Kathina robe offering ceremony of Sasana Zeya Mingalar Pariyatti Sarthintaik
YANGON, 22 Nov - The fourth Kathina robe offering ceremony of Sasana Zeya Mingalar Pariyatti Sarthintaik was held at the Sarthintaik in Natchaung Ward, Tamway Township, this morning, attended by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing.
The ceremony was opened by reciting namo tasa three times.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from the Aungmyay Shwebonkyaung Sayadaw.
Afterwards, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited Parittas.
Next, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented Kathina robes and offertories to Sayadaw of Sasana Zeya Mingalar Pariyatti Sarthintaik Bhaddanta Paninda. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Paninda delivered a sermon.
Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation shared merits gained for the good deeds.

(3)Secretary-1 attends Depavali Festival
YANGON, 22 Nov - A ceremony to mark Depavali Festival of All Myanmar Hindu Central Board was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Road this evening.
Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt formally opened the ceremony by lighting the oil lamp.
Then, a Hindu traditional cultural variety show was presented.
Secretary of the Committee for Organizing Depavali Festival U Kyaw Myint spoke words of thanks, which brought the ceremony to a close.
Also present on the occasion were the ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, department heads, the Ambassador of India, officials of embassies of Nepal and Sri Lanka, officials of All Myanmar Hindu Central Board, members of the Committee for Organizing Depavali Festival, the Hindu faithful and guests.

(4)Secretary-l inspects arrangements for opening of Diagnostic Centre of MMCWA
YANGON, 22 NOV-Chairman of Myanmar National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Diagnostic Centre in the precincts of multi-purpose building of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association at the corner of Parami Road and Thanthumar Road in South Okkalapa Township this afternoon.
The Secretary-l and party were welcomed by Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and EC members.
Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and officials reported on arrangements for opening of Diagnostic Centre. The Secretary- 1 then gave necessary instructions.

(5)Secretary-l attends Kathina offering ceremony of Kaba Aye Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik in Mayangon
YANGON, 22 Nov - Kathina robe offering ceremony of Kaba Aye Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik was held at the Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township this afternoon, attended by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Congregation received the Five Precepts from State Ovadacariya Head of Yangon Division Shwekyin Nikaya Gana Thiri Manta Sankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Razeindabhivamsa.
Next, members of the Sangha recited Parittas.
The Secretary-l presented Kathina robe and offertories to Presiding Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta, Sumangala Lankara (Ph.D) and offertories to State Ovadacariya Head of Yangon Division Shwekyin Nikaya Gana Thiri Manta Sankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Razeindabhivamsa .
The ministers also presented offertories to the members of the Sangha.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara (Ph.D) delivered a sermon and the Secretary-l and party shared merits gained.

(6)Secretary-2 attends Kathina robes offering ceremony of Ministry of Home Affairs
YANGON, 22 Nov - A ceremony to offer Kathina robes by staff families of the Ministry of Home Affairs took place at Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik, Insein, this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Nandavamsa invested the congregation with the Five Precepts, followed by recitation of parittas by members of the Sangha.
Afterwards, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Minister and wife and officials presented Kathina robes and offertories to members of the Sangha.
Administrative Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Tilokabhivamsa then delivered a sermon.
This was followed by sharing of merits for pious deeds.

(7)16 members of KNPP exchange arms for Peace
YANGON, 22 Nov - The government is striving for national reconsolidating, upholding Our Three Main National Causes, and is implementing the 12 political, economic and social objectives for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation.
After realizing the genuine goodwill and endeavours of the government, remnant armed groups, abandoning destructive acts which do not benefit the nation, are continuously exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups.
A 16-member armed group led by Secretary U Saw Bae Bay of No 4 Township of Gekaw Region of Kayinni National Progressive Party, together with 10 as sorted guns, 10 magazines and 115 rounds of ammunition, exchanged arms for peace at the military column in Hoya Region of Regional Control Command (Loikaw) area.
A ceremony to exchange arms for peace of Secretary U Saw Bae Bay and members of No 4 Township of Gekaw Region of KNPP was held at Town Hall in Loikaw on 21 November morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Commander of Regional Control Command Col Nyunt Hlaing, departmental officials, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, peace negotiators, persons who served for peace and local people, totalling over 5,000.
The Commander of Regional Control Command extended greeting. He said it was an auspicious day as Secretary U Saw Bae Bay and members of No 4 Township of Gekaw Region of Kayinni National Progressive Party exchanged arms for peace.
The commander added he heartily welcomed the group, which exchanged arms for peace, realizing that armed opposition does not benefit the nation and the people and that it retards regional development. At present, national solidarity is becoming stronger due to genuine goodwill of the government; only when national solidarity is strong and peace and tranquillity reign in the country, can strenuous efforts be made for regional development; only then, will a peaceful, modern and developed nation emerge.
Then, the commander invited remnant armed groups to exchange arms for peace and to return to the legal fold. He urged the armed group members, who exchanged arms for peace, to participate in the regional development tasks and said that necessary assistance will be extended to them.
Afterwards, U Saw Bae Bay explained the reasons to exchange arms for peace and handed over documents related to arms and ammunition and list of the members of the group to the commander. The commander presented monetary assistance and gifts to them.
Then, the commander cordially met the persons who exchanged arms for peace and posed for documentary photo with them.

(8)73 members resign from Launglon Township NLD
YANGON, 22 Nov - Seventy-three members resigned from National League for Democracy of Launglon Township, Taninthayi Division.
Seventy-three members of Launglon Township NLD, Taninthayi Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Launglon Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 29 August 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(9)WEATHER
Maximum temperature on Nov 21 was 32.5 0C (90 0F)
Minimum temperature on Nov 22 was 20.5 0C (69 0F)

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