( 1 ) Secretary-1
attends ceremony to share merits for construction of Tipitakalankara Dhammayon
Yangon, 21 April — A
ceremony to share merits for construction of Tipitakalan-kara Dhammayon donated by
wellwishers Dr Tha Yin Myat and wife Daw Nwe Nwe Aye and daughter Chaw Su Myat, at
Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik on Shwenatha Sanpya Village in Mingaladon Township,
Yangon Division, was held at the Dhammayon this morning.
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony and presented offertories to
members of the Sangha.
Also present were Joint-Secretary of State
Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Wizitayon Kyaungtaik in Mandalay
Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Visa-rindabhivamsa and members
Sayadaws and members of the Sangha, member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung
Than, the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, heads of department, wel-lwishers and guests.
 
First, members of the Sangha consecrated
the Buddha image at the Dhammayon.Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wellwishers’
family and party received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw Bhad-dantaVisarindabhivamsa.Then,
wellwisher Dr Tha Yin Myat supplicated on the construction of Dhammayon.Members of the
Sangha recited the parittas. The Secretary-1, the Commander, the ministers, the deputy
ministers and wellwishers presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Next,
wellwishers Dr Tha Yin Myat and wife Daw Nwe Nwe Aye and daughter Chaw Su Myat presented K
35 million to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt for the construction of the Dhammayon.
Afterwards, member of the State Sangha
Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaiks
Tipi-takadhara Dhamma Bandaga-rika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sumangalalankara (Ph D)
delivered a sermon.Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, wellwisher’s family and party
shared the merits.After the ceremony, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and the
wellwishers’ family performed the ritual of golden and silver showers to mark the
success of the donation ceremony.
Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and the
wellwishers’ family offered ‘soon’ to members of the Sangha.
Secretary-1 receives President
and CEO of Petroliam Nasional Berhad, PETRONAS
Yangon, 21 April
—Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received
President and Chief Executive Officer of Petroliam Nasional Berhad, PETRONAS, of Malaysia
Tan Sri Dato Mohd Hassan Marican and party at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence
this afternoon.
Also present together with the Secretary-1
were Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the State Peace and
Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Deputy Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.The
guests were accompanied by Ambassador of Malaysia Dato Mohammad Bin Noh.
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( 2 ) Efforts for development of rural health care explained
Yangon, 21 April —
Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein attended a workshop on promotion of rural health care
in the meeting hall of the Ministry of Health on Theinbyu Road this afternoon.
Also present were Deputy Ministers for
Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and directors-general, heads of
state and division health departments, medical superintendents and officials.
Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein said that in
building a new, peaceful, modern and developed nation, the State will develop with
momentum only when rural areas develop. Therefore, the Head of State has given guidance on
promoting development of rural areas in all sectors. As for the health sector, guidance on
development tasks of rural health care has been given also. As the guidance of the Head of
State is the health policy, it is needed to implement the guidance as soon as possible.
The government has given priority to
public health care. After 1988, 97 hospitals, 63 rural health centres, 20 regional health
centres and 28 rural clinics have been opened in the entire nation. Just as new hospitals
and clinics have been opened, so new health staff have also been appointed. The government
has been spending large sums of money on installing modern medical equipment at hospitals.
This year, such medical equipment will be used at hospitals in district-level towns.
Arrangements are under way to install medical equipment at township and station hospitals.
The data collected by various organizations show that public health has improved
considerably. Health care services have improved dramatically compared with those in the
past. But, there is still health development gap between rural and urban areas.
Only when public
participation is acquired, will health care services be effective and successful in a
short time. Therefore, the Head of State has given guidance on enlisting the public
participation. To provide rural people with sufficient health care, it is needed to build
new rural clinics, rural health centres and station hospitals and to appoint more health
employees. The minister, on its part, will give priority to the upgrading of the
already-opened hospitals, clinics, especially of rural health centres and station
hospitals in order that the needs of basic health can be fulfilled. If a person or an
organization wishes to donate rural clinics and station hospitals, the ministry will take
care of appointing necessary health staff and giving assistance for treatment. To enable
wellwishers to make donations, rural health centres and station hospitals are categorized
into A class, B class and C class. A case in point is Hsamalauk Farmers Hospital recently
opened in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division. This hospital has been donated by a
foreign company, and the ministry, on its part, has just to appoint health employees.
The company has donated staff
quarters as well as medical equipment and medicines. It has also set up a trust fund for
maintenance and purchase of necessary medical equipment and medicines. Similarly, U Hla
Tun Hospice (Cancer) is also fulfilling the needs of public health care. If national
entrepreneurs wish to donate hospitals and clinics at places where their business is
based, the Ministry of Health will make necessary arrangements for the donation. That kind
of donation benefits local people and it can contribute directly to the success of the
donor's business. In conclusion, the minister urged heads of state and division health
departments and medical superintendents to implement tasks for improvement of rural health
as soon as possible. Then, the deputy ministers also spoke on the occasion.
Director-General of the Health Department Dr Wan Maung explained matters related to models
of rural health centres and station hospitals for which the public are invited to
contribute.
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( 3
) Vehicles
and related equipment donated to Ministry of Electric Power
 
Yangon, 21 April— ACT
Foundation of Japan donated six vehicles with a crane each, safety belts and 100 sets of
related equipment to the Ministry of Electric Power through the Office of Strategic
Studies at No 137 University Avenue this morning.
 
Present on the occasion were Minister for
Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Deputy Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and
Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Managing Director of
ACT Foundation of Japan Mr T Kanekeo, Managing Director of Tohoku Electric Power Co
Inc Mr H Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori and officials of the Ministry of
Electric Power and OSS.
Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Managing
Directors Mr T Kanekeo and Mr H Suzuki and Ambassador Mr Shigeru Tsumori spoke on the
occasion.Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut expressed thanks.Then, Mr H Suzuki presented vehicles
and equipment to the minister.
Minister inspects land reclamation in Hlegu
Yangon, 21
April—Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, together with directors-general of departments concerned
inspected reclamation of land at Agricultural Special Zone-3 in Hlegu Township this
morning.
At the briefing hall, the officials
concerned reported on progress of reclamation of land in the special zone-3, construction
of road from No 3 road to Kyakanzu-Ngasu-daung section, Hsetthwadaw-Kyakanzu section and
Kyakanzu-Hlegu short-cut section, and the minister left instructions.
The minister and party then inspected
vegetable patches, construction of 88-foot wide special road (Kyakanzu-Ngasudaung section)
and special zone-3 road.Afterwards, they inspected building of Kyakanzu-Hlegu earth road
and construction of Ahtayu Creek bridge, and gave instructions.In the special zone No 3
road project, building of 25- mile-long earth road and paving of nine-mile long laterite
road have been completed. Entrepreneurs can undertake their work on 271 plots (1,355
acres).The Hlegu-Kyakanzu road is four-mile long and 3.1 miles have been constructed.
Discussion minutes for rural
water supply signed
Yangon, 21 April- A ceremony to sign the minutes of
discussions for the Implementation of the Rural Water Supply Project in Shan State between
Development Affairs Department and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was held
at the hall of the department on Than-lyetsun Road in Botahtaung Township yesterday
morning. Present were Director-General Col Myo Myint and officials of DAD, officials of
JICA and representatives of the Japanese Embassy. At the ceremony, Director-General Col
Myo Myint and Mr Konishi of JICA exchanged the signed minutes. Then, Col Myo Myint and Mr
Konishi spoke words of thanks. Development Committees will implement the rural water
supply programme for the five-year plan in 250 villages of Shan State with the use of
heavy machinery of JICA beginning 2001-2002 fiscal year.
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( 4 ) Minister inspects Industrial Zone
Yangon, 21
April—Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, accompanied by Deputy Minister Lt-Col
Khin Maung Kyaw and officials, arrived at Indagaw Industrial Zone of the Ministry of
Industry-2 in Indagaw Region, Bago Division, this morning.
At the briefing hall, the Minister heard
reports by the managing director and responsible persons on progress of building factories
and workshops, arrival of equipment and power and water supply.
Then, the deputy minister presented a
supplementary report.The minister gave instructions.
The minister and party inspected progress
of construction of Machine Shop and Assembly Shop of Power Tiller Factory by Myanma
Agricultural Machinery Industries, and the water tank. The minister left instructions on
timely completion of work, construction of the ring road of the factory and arrangements
for sufficient power and water supply.
Ministry of Transport holds ordination and novitiation ceremony
Yangon, 21 April—The first collective
ordination and novitiation ceremony of the Ministry of Transport was held at Mahasi Sasana
Yeiktha in Bahan Township this morning. Altogether 38 persons were ordained into temporary
monk-hood and 44 boys novitiated.
Present were Minister for Transport
Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and wife Daw San San Myint, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and
wife, Deputy Minister U Pe Than, officials and guests.
The minister and wife and the deputy
minister presented offertories to newly-ordained monks and members of the Sangha.
The congregation received the Nine
Precepts from Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita
Bhaddanta Kesara and members of the Sangha recited Parittas.
Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe supplicated
on religious matters and presented offertories to the members of the Sangha. Sayadaw
Bhad-danta Kesara delivered a sermon, and shared the merits gained.
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( 5 ) Minister
inspects Win Thuza Shop in NyaungU
Yangon, 21 April—
Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by officials, yesterday arrived at Win
Thuza Shop in NyaungU and inspected sales of medicines, various kinds of soft drinks and
beverage, garments, umbrellas, shoes and stationery produced by the Ministry of
Industry-1, electrical appliances of Ministry of Industry-2, products and books of
Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of
Livestock and Fisheries at the shop.
Managing Director U Kyaw Myint of Myanma
Foodstuff Industries and in-charge of the shop U Aung Ko reported on matters related to
the shop. The minister gave necessary instructions.
Afterwards, the minister inspected
Hsindewa Sales Centre in Welaung Market and gave instruction on work.
At 10 am, Minister U Aung Thaung and wife
Daw Khin Khin Yi paid homage to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dham-mavamsa of Welaung Shwe-Umin
Kyaungtaik and supplicated on preparations for hoisting Shwehtidaw atop ShweUmin Pagoda.
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( 6 ) Minister meets ASEAN Football President
Yangon, 21 April
—Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint
received President of ASEAN Football Federation Tengku Tan Sri Dato Seri Ahamad
Rithauddeen of Malaysia, Honorary Secretary Dato Paul Mony Samuel of Malaysia and 22
representatives of ASEAN countries at Padamya Hall this morning.
They discussed matters related to progress
of football standard and the hosting of regional competitions. Then, the minister and the
president exchanged gifts.The president and party attended the meeting of the organizing
committee to hold regional football tournament at Shwewa Hall of Karaweik Palace. After
the discussion, President of Myanmar Football Federation President SPED Director-General U
Thaung Htaik hosted a lunch in honour of the president and party.
AFF Congress and Council Meeting held
 
Yangon, 21
April— The 8th ASEAN Football Federation Congress for 2001 and the 6th ASEAN Football
Council Meeting for 2000-2001 were held at the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel this afternoon.
Present were President of ASEAN Football
Federation Tengku Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahamad Rithauddeen of Malaysia, AFF Honorary
Secretary Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel and delegates of AFF member countries, President of
Myanmar Football Federation U Thaung Htaik and General Secretary U Tin Aung. First,
President of MFF Director-General U Thaung Htaik of Sports and Physical Education
Department extended greetings.
Then, President of AFF Tengku Tan Sri
Dato’ Seri Ahamad Rithauddeen gave a speech. Next, they approved the minutes of the
previous Congress, presented the annual report of AFF and read out the financial report
for year 2000.Then, a general round discussions was followed.At 5.30 pm, the officials of
AFF met Myanmar sports journalists at the Press Conference.
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( 7 ) LBVD holds third ordination, novitiation ceremony
Yangon, 21 April—
Under the patronage of Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and
wife, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein and wife and Director-General U Maung Maung Nyunt of
Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department and wife, the third communal ordination and
novitiation ceremony of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department was held at the
branch of Ywama Thilawithuddhi monastery on Shooting Range Road in Insein Township this
morning.
Deputy Minister U Aung Thein donated
provisions to Sayadaws.The deputy minister and officials presented offertories to members
of the Sangha. At the ceremony, eight employees of the department were ordained and 12
sons of staff novitiated.
Respects paid to the elderly in Taunggyi
Yangon, 21
April—A ceremony to pay respects to the elderly was held at the Eastern Command
Dhamma-yon in Taunggyi, Shan State (South), in the morning of Myanmar New Year Day, 17th
April. Present were Shan State Peace and Development Council Chairman Eastern Command
Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo and wife, military officers and their wives and the elderly.
In the afternoon, the commander attended the ceremony to
honour religious title recipient Sayadaws at the Atulama-razein Dhammayon in Taunggyi.
Afterwards, he attended the fourth ceremony to pay respects to the elderly at the city
hall. The commander, together with service personnel, members of social organizations and
wellwishers, offered provisions to the members of the Sangha.
All-round construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image
goes on
Yangon, 21 April — Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image at Min-dhamma Hill in Insein Township was crowded with members of
the Sangha and people from far and wide today.
Engineers and workers of Public Works are
making the all-round construction of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi.
Myanmar handicraft technician U Ohn Tin
and U Hla Kyu and party are carrying out tasks for Myanma architectural designs and stone
pillar of Gandakuti Kyaung-dawgyi and construction of tiers at the southern stairway.Wut
associations recited parittas from morning till evening.The Ministry of Religious Affairs,
the Ministry of Information and Myanma Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon (Central)
opened the book shops and souvenir shops.Donations received from 5 August to date totalled
K 172,450,283.
Title recipient Sayadaws honoured
Yangon 21 April-A ceremony to honour 20 title recipient
Sayadaws in 26 townships in Ayeyawady Division was held in conjunction with offering
provisions to members of the Sangha at Sasana Beikman-daw in Pathein yesterday morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Aye-yawady Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and wife Daw Khin Lay Thet, senior
military officers and their wives, local authorities and others. Sayadaw Agga Maha
Saddhamma Jotika Dhaja Bhaddantacarinda administered the Five Precepts. Provisions were
offered to the members of the Sangha. Mahasi Yeiktha Sayadaw Maha Kammathanacariya
Bhad-danta Kundala delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. Led by the commander
and wife, those present offered rice and provisions to the members of the Sangha.
Then, "soon" was offered to members of the
Sangha. The commander attended coordination meeting on sectors of regional deve-lopment,
health and education at the meeting hall of the office of the council. District Peace and
Development Council chairmen, departmental heads and District USDA secretaries reported on
progress of work so far carried out. Then, the commander fulfilled the requirements. In
the afternoon, the commander attended the co-ordination meeting on implementation of plan
targets for fiscal 2001-2002 of the Division held at the meeting hall of the Division
Peace and Development Council. He delivered an address and fulfilled the requirements. At
4.30 pm, the Commander attended the opening ceremony of inter-five-district under-13
soccer tournament at the Monument Sportsground in Pathein.
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( 8 )
Prizes presented to Thingyan yein troupes in Lashio
Yangon, 21 April—A
prize-presentation ceremony of Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival was held at the
central pandal in Lashio on 16 April.
Present were Chairman of Shan State Peace
and Development Council (North) Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin
Aung Myint Oo and wife Daw Khin Saw Hnin, senior military officers, Secretary of Shan
State Peace and Development Council (North) Lt-Col Win Han, departmental officials,
guests, yein troupes and local people.The commander and officials presented prizes to the
yein troupes.The commander attended a ceremony to pay respects to 84 elderly persons at
Sasana Beikman in Lashio on 17 April. The commander presented gifts to the elderly
persons. U Za Thang Khung Lon, 103, gave counsel.
Commander attends closing of Thingyan pandal
Yangon, 21
April— The closing ceremony and prize presentation of Myitkyina Central Pandal
of Maha Thingyan Festival was held at the pandal on 16 April evening.
Present were Chairman of Kachin State
Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and wife Daw
San San Yi, Commander of Myitkyina Air Base Brig-Gen Bo Kyi, officials, 30 yein troupes
and local people totalling over 1,000.
The commander and officials presented
prizes to respective troupes.On 17 April, the commander attended the ceremony to pay
respects to the aged and to release fish at Sasana Beikman in Myitkyina.
The commander and wife and party paid
respects to the aged and presented K 5,000 each to them. Then, the commander and party
released fish into Ayeyawady River.
At Wuntho Kyaungtaik in Myitkyina, Vice-Chairman of Sangha
Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Silavamsa
delivered a sermon. Then, the congregation shared merits gained.
Yangon City bustling with holiday-makers
Yangon, 21 April- Holiday-makers visited pagodas, parks and recreation centres in
Yangon City today, Saturday. At Shwedagon Pagoda, devotees paid obeisance to the pagoda
and offered flowers, water, lights and incense to the pagoda. Sule and Botahtaung Pagodas
were also crowded with devotees. Similarly, merry-makers visited Kandaw Mingala Park and
enjoyed facilities of Happy World modern recreation centre. Likewise, the public went
cinemas and shopping at department stores, plazas, markets and stores.
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( 9
) Puma couple arrive at Yangon Zoo
Yangon, 21 April- Under the animals exchange programme
between Yangon Zoological Gardens and Singapore Zoological Gardens, a couple of puma sent
by the Singapore Zoological Gardens arrived here by air on 10 April. The puma couple was
being kept at Yangon Zoological Gardens for observance of visitors.
Heroin seized in Muse
Yangon, 21 April- A combined team comprising members of
local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, searched the
Kywegyo trawler-jeep at Mawtaung Village in Muse Township, Shan State (North), on 4 April.
The authorities nabbed Daw Mar Kawt, daughter of U Ma La of Mawtaung Village, Muse
Township, with 0.08 kilo of heroin in two soap boxes. Action is taken against her under
the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances Law.
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