( 1 ) Wellwishers make donations to funds of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

Yangon, 21 Jan - A ceremony to make donations to the funds of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image was held at Mindhamma Hill in Mayangon Township this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present were the ministers, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, guests and wellwishers.

The Secretary-1 accepted cash donations to the funds of the Image  K 1.2 million each by wellwishers.  Chairman of the Committee for Raising the Fund of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa explained matters related to donations.

Then, the Secretary-1 said that scholars and technicians are working for the emergence of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image; the marble rock, out of which the Image is being carved, was obtained from Sakyin Hill in Madaya Township, Mandalay Division; stone sculptors have been allowed since the times of ancient monarchs to carve Buddha images at Sakyin Hill; previously, Sakyin Hill produced sapphire, ruby and other precious gems; stone sculptor U Taw Taw and family found that marble rock; they donated that marble rock to the government as it is of good quality.

The government has formed various committees including officials of the ministries and is working for the emergence of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 wished the well-wishers all kinds of blessings. Then, the Secretary-1 paid homage to the Image. So far, donations to the fund of the Image amounted to K 325,220,791 and US$ 18,425 and 1,563 FECs.

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( 2 ) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives French guests

Yangon, 21 Jan-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Deputy Chairman of Electricite Et Eaux Madagascar (EEM) Co of France Mr Baudoin De Pimodan and party at the guest house of Ministry of Defence at 5 pm today. They discussed matters related to wood-based work. Also present at the call were Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet. 

Myanmar, China sign MoU on narcotic drugs control

Yangon, 21 Jan-A Memorandum of Understanding on narcotic drugs control in cooperation with the Union of Myanmar and the People's Republic of China was signed at the Trade Centre of Myanma Timber Enterprise on Shwe-taunggya Road this morning. Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and Minister of Public Security of PRC Mr Jia Chunwang signed the MoU.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, Head of Office of Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein, officials, Ambassador of PRC Mr Liang Dong and members of the PRC delegation. The delegation led by Minister of Public Security of PRC Mr Jia Chunwang left for Kunming this afternoon.  The delegation was seen off at the airport by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, Ambassador of the PRC Mr Liang Dong and members of CCDAC.

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( 3 ) Bhumi Phassa Mudra Marble Buddha Image donated to China

Yangon, 21 Jan- The Bhumi Phassa Mudra Marble Buddha Image, donated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Union of Myanmar to the Chinese Buddhist Association of the People's Republic of the China, was kept at the temporary Sankyaung in the compound of Shwe Nandaw Travel Centre for public obeisance, Muse, Shan State (North), on 17 January. A ceremony to donate cash towards the fund of the image was held at the venue at 3.30 pm on 18 January.

Present were Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Tactical Operations Commander Col Soe Yi, Director-General U Sann Lwin of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Commissioner U Sein Oak of Shan State (North) General Administration Department, District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myint Thein and members, officials and wellwishers. First, Muse Mahawun Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Arara administered the Nine Precepts. Then, Minister U Aung Khin and officials accepted the donations presented by wellwishers, departments and associations.

On 18 January morning, a ceremony to consecrate the Buddha image was held. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Arara and Sayadaws consecrated the Buddha Image. The minister and officials offered provisions to the Sayadaws and shared merits gained for good deeds. On 18 January morning, the Buddha image was conveyed to Shweli, the People's Republic of China, through the border gate. The Deputy Head of Religious Bureau and officials of China welcomed the Image.

Then, the Buddha image was conveyed round Shweli and was kept at the Dhammayon of Naung-Um Pagoda in Shweli. In the afternoon, officials of both nations met at the Jing Cheng Hotel. Present on the occasion were Minister U Aung Khin, Consul-General U Thein Zaw, Tactical Operations Commander Col Soe Yi, Director-General U Sann Lwin, District Chairman Lt-Col Myint Thein, the Deputy Head of Religious Bureau and religious officials of China, the chairman and members of Yunnan Buddhist Association. Minister U Aung Khin and the Deputy Head of Religious Bureau spoke words of thanks.

Afterwards, a ceremony to hand over the Buddha Image to China was held at the Dhammayon. Minister U Aung Khin handed over documents related to the Image to the Deputy Head of Religious Bureau. Sayadaws paid obeisance to the Image and recited parittas. Then, Deputy Head of Religious Bureau and Minister U Aung Khin gave speeches. The Image, 54 inches in height and 45 inches in width between two knees, was donated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Union of Myanmar to the Chinese Buddhist Association of the People's Republic of the China.

Members of Sangha who passed the examinations honoured

Yangon, 21 Jan-A ceremony to honour members of the Sangha who passed their examinations and Maha Theraguna Puja Thabin to mark the 42nd anniversary of Maha Visudhayon (Pali Tekkatho) Shwekyin Kyaung Taik was held at the Kyaungtaik on Nandawun Street in Bahan Township this morning.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, Vice-Chairman Sayadaw, Secretary Magway Sayadaw and State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, members of the Sangha who passed their examinations, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and disciples. The congregation received the Five Precepts from Chairman of Shwekyin Nikaya Upa Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru the Second Shwekyin Sasanabaing Eyamaydani Waso Sayadaw. Minister U Aung Khin supplicated on religious affairs. Ministers U Aung San and U Aung Khin and wellwishers presented offertories to the members of the Sangha. Prizes were presented to members of the Sangha and Samaneras. Presiding Nayaka Tipitakadhara Dhammabandagarika Agga Maha Pandita (Yaw) Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. Alms were then offered to the Sayadaws.

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( 4 ) Yangon Division traditional medicine practitioners discuss action plans

Yangon, 21 Jan - Traditional medicine practitioners of Yangon Division today organized a meeting to show their support for using as working norms the guidelines given by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and the suggestions by Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt at the Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Conference on 19 December 2000 as working norms.

The meeting at Yangon Division USDA Office in Bahan Township was attended by Secretary of Yangon Division USDA U Aye Myint and EC members, Chairman of Bahan Township Peace and Development Council U Swe Khant Htam, departmental officials, guests and traditional medicine practitioners of Yangon Division.

Traditional medicine practitioner U Thaung Htaik of Thakayta Township presided over the meeting with U Lu Min of Bahan Township, U Than Naing of North Okkalapa Township, U Shein of Thingangyun Township, U Sein Kala and U Htein Win of South Okkalapa Township, U Aung Nyunt and U Kyaw Htay of Yankin Township, and U Kyaw Thaung of Insein Township as members of the panel of chairmen. U Thaung Htaik said that the Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Conference tabled and approved the eight motions  formation of a single Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Association, carrying out research on treatments with the use of both traditional medicine and the Western medicine, conservation of herbal plants in the region on a manageable scale, doing research on medicines and remedies which can cure certain diseases that cannot be cured with the Western medicines, formation of state/division, district and township groups under the supervision of the Traditional Medicine Council, carrying out organizational and educational tasks for modernization of the traditional medicine in accord with the government's policy, united participation of all traditional medicine practitioners, and strengthening and maintaining the four methods of traditional medicine.

He called for efforts to start working unitedly for the resolutions of the conference to materialize since the eight resolutions of the conference are meant for emergence of one united traditional medicine practitioners association, implementation of tasks by means of traditional medicine in the national interest, standardization of traditional medicines, improvement of traditional medicine practitioners' skill, catering to public health by means of traditional medicine, implementation of tasks by traditional medicine practitioners in their respective roles for the nation to become developed and modern and stand tall among the worlds nations. Afterwards, traditional medicine practitioners proposed the motions that were seconded with relevant facts by other traditional medicine practitioners. The meeting concluded with the chairman U Thaung Htaik's address.

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( 5 ) Minister inspects rice mills and warehouses in Thanlyin Township

Yangon, 21 Jan-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone accompanied by Managing Director U Min Hla Aung of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading and officials arrived at Thuhtay Kwyin paddy purchase centre in Thanlyin Township this morning. Head of the enter U Khin Maung Win reported to the minister on purchasing of crops at the briefing hall.

The minister gave necessary instructions and inspected round the warehouses in Phayagyi Compound in Thuhtay Kwyin. Then, the minister and party proceeded to No 242 100-ton rice mill in Thanlyin. At the briefing hall, Division Assistant Manager U Ye Win and Managing Director U Min Hla Aung reported to the minister on production and matters related to the mill. The Minister gave instructions on meeting production target, maintenance plans of the mill, growing trees in the environs and taking fire preventive measures. Then, he inspected the mill. Then, the minister and party inspected production of firewood substitute rice husk briquettes, production of sodium silicate for the charcoal, proposed site for the construction of division assistant manager's office and storage of crops and gave necessary instructions. 

Deputy Minister inspects rice mills, bran oil mill, warehouses in Bago Division

Yangon, 21 Jan- Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan met officials and service personnel of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading at Bago Division (West) MAPT Manager's Office in Pyay on 19 January morning and attended to their needs.

Then, the deputy minister inspected construction of the Division MAPT Manager's Office and gave necessary instructions. In Shwedaung, the deputy minister inspected Tigon crops purchase centre in Shwedaung Township and Paungde crops purchase centre and gave instructions on purchasing to meet the target and quality strain of the crops. The minister also inspected No 369 100-ton rice mill and No 04 Bran Oil Mill in Paungde. The deputy minister gave instructions on milling and production for meeting the target, quality products and measures for fire prevention.

At 2 pm, the deputy minister arrived at No 639 250-ton Rice Mill in Letpadan and inspected the mill. The deputy minister also inspected Letpadan crops purchase centre and gave instructions on work.

At Pi Pi polyethylene bag factory in Letpadan, the deputy minister inspected the production process and fulfilled the requirements of the factory. Afterwards, the deputy minister inspected the poultry farm of 250-ton rice mill in Letpadan and gave instructions on extended breeding, accurate account and staff welfare.

At 4 pm in Thayawady, the deputy minister arrived at Aleigon Warehouse and inspected the purchase depot and storage of the crops at the house. The deputy minister then met officials and gave instructions on storage matters and attended to their needs.

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( 6 ) Ministry of Construction holds third four-monthly work coordination meeting

Yangon, 21 Jan - The third four-monthly work coordination meeting of the Ministry of Construction for Year 2000 was held at the Department for Human Settlement and Housing Development this morning. Present were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Managing Director of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing, Director-General of Construction Inspection Department U Soe Tint, Deputy Director-General of DHSHD Col Tin Tun, heads of department, superintending engineers of states and divisions and road/bridge/building and airport projects, deputy superintending engineers, senior engineers and engineers. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun made an opening speech. The superintending engineers of states and divisions reported on matters related to budgets and machinery. The meeting will continue tomorrow.

Minister inspects research on agriculture

Yangon, 21 Jan - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin met with owners of rubber farms and departmental personnel at the rubber farm of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise at Ngahsutaung Village, Hlegu Township, this morning. Managing Director of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise U Myint Oo and officials reported to him on cultivation of rubber and cashew in the special zone established in 1994-95, dissemination of technology and distribution of seedlings.

The minister gave instructions on cultivation of rubber and cashew on the allotted acres in the special zone. Then, the owners of rubber farms reported on measures related to security and fire prevention. Afterwards, the minister observed rubber plantations. The minister proceeded to Vegetable and Fruit Research and Development Centre near Yemon Village, Hlegu Township.

The minister inspected cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables, the laboratory and the quality control room at the Centre. Managing Director of Myanma Agriculture Service U Tun Than and officials reported on salient points about the Centre. Then, the minister met with agriculturists who are doing research at the centre. Next, the minister went to Central Agricultural Research and Training Centre at Zayatkwin, Hlegu Township, and observed vegetable patches, research plantations, hybrid maize plantations and research work. The minister gave instructions on distribution of quality strains and doing research.

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( 7 ) Commander inspects construction tasks

Yangon, 21 Jan-Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, together with departmental officials, arrived at Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) Project being implemented by Bridge Construction Project Special Group-6 of Public Works, near Madauk Village in Nyaunglaybin Township, Bago Division, on 19 January afternoon.

In the briefing hall, the Commander heard reports on the work done, plans to be carried out and use of machinery by Assistant Engineer U Khin Maung Myint with the help of charts. He gave necessary instructions on minimizing loss and wastage, meeting set standards and timely completion of the bridge. Then, the Commander and party proceeded to the project site and attended to requirements. Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk),1500 feet long and 26 feet wide, is a reinforced concrete one and can bear 60-ton loads.

Afterwards, the Commander inspected cultivation of seasonal crops between Shwekyin and Madauk Villages and heard reports on the condition of bridges and roads, and agricultural tasks by Chairman of District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Tint. After giving instructions, the Commander inspected cultivation of seasonal crops on 12 acres of land on both sides of Chauktan Creek and the condition of 17-mile-long Pakaing Embankment between DaikU and Hlegu Townships and fulfilled requirements.

Commander attends opening of multimedia teaching centre in Sagaing Division

Yangon, 21 Jan-Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win attended the opening of multimedia teaching centre of Yinmabin Basic Education High School in Sagaing Division on 18 January morning. Also present on the occasion were division/district/township level departmental officials, members of School Board of Trustees, towns elders, teachers and students. First, the students sang " Myanmar School" song in chorus and Headmistress Daw Htay Htay and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Thant Sin cut the ribbon to open the teaching centre. Then, the Commander formally unveiled the signboard and viewed the skill demonstration of the students. In the assembly hall of the school, the Headmistress and the Chairman of School Board of Trustees reported on work done for the school to the Commander who later accepted the donations of the wellwishers for the school and delivered a speech on education tasks in Sagaing Division in detail and fulfilled the needs.

Myanma Traditional Apparel Show extended till 12 Feb

Yangon, 21 Jan- The Myanma Traditional Apparel Show, organized by the University of Culture (Yangon) and supervised by the Ministry of Culture, continued at the National Museum from 9 am to 5 pm today. The show was crowded with people, students and tourists. The show has been extended till 12 February. On that day, certificates of honour and prizes will be presented to persons who contributed to the show and winners of the photo competition.

Yangon City bustling with activities

Yangon, 21 Jan- Today is Sunday as well as a holiday, members of the Sangha and people were seen bustling at pagodas, parks and recreation centres in Yangon. At Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), devotees paid obeisance to the Pagoda and offered flowers, water, lights and donations to the pagoda. Similarly, tourists visited the pagoda. Likewise, devotees, members of the Sangha and people thronged to Maha Wizaya, Kaba Aye, Koehtetgyi, Chaukhtetgyi, Ngadatgyi, Kyaikkhauk, Kyaikhmawwun and Meilamu pagodas. People's Park and People's Square, Happy World modern recreation centre, Yangon Zoological Gardens, Thakayta Amusement Park, Myakyuntha Park and Kandawmingala Park were also crowded with holiday-makers.

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Yangon, 21 Jan-Kawliya Bridge on Yongon-Mandalay Road was inaugurated in DaikU township on 20 January. Present on the occasion were members of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Maj- Gen Tin Aye, minister construction Maj-Gen saw Tun, Deputy minister, division, district , township level office, personnel  and others associations and local peoples.

Minister Maj- Gen Saw Tun spoke on occasion. The four-Line Kawliya Bridge is 196 feed long and 48 feed wide.Commander Maj- Gen Tin presented gifts to Project Superintending Engineer U Myint Lwin.At the auspicious time Commander Maj -Gen Tin Aye and Minister Maj- Gen Saw Tun formally opened the bridge by cutting a ribbon. Then, Minister Maj- Gen Saw Tun formally unveiled the stone plaque of the bridge.

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