Yangon, 21 April—Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at Mindhamma hill in Insein Township, where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni image is kept, and was welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge, officials and technicians at 3.45 pm today.

The Secretary-1 paid homage to the image. Then, he inspected all-round construction tasks and was reported on tasks by the officials.He also inspected the flooring of granite tiles at Southern Stairways, greening tasks and construction of Hmankyaunghsaung for the image.After hearing the reports by the officials, the Secretary-1gave instructions and left there at 4.30 pm.

Yuzana Co Ltd presents K 30m for opening of multimedia teaching centres

Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt accepted the donation.Also present were the ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, chairman of Yuzana Co Ltd and members and guests.

Chairman of Yuzana Co Ltd U Htay Myint and members presented K 30 million to the Secretary-1.

The Secretary-1 said Yuzana Co Ltd presented K 30 million for opening of multimedia teaching centres in ten basic education schools and the government is implementing the education promotion programmes in cooperation with wellwishers.On behalf of the government and students, he expressed thanks for such donation.The donation will be used to open multimedia teaching centres in basic education schools that did not have such centres.

Yangon, 22 April—A ceremony to open the 11th Yamaka and Pathana special summer course was held at Maha Santawwin three-storey building of Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Insein Township this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were members of the Central Working Committee of the Sangha led by Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kesara, Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Insein Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhad-danta Nandavamsa, members of the Sangha, trainee members of the Sangha and nuns, ministers, deputy ministers, the Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor, Adviser to the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, chairmen of Yangon North District and Insein Township Peace and Development Councils and members, members of the board of trustees of Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik, well-wishers and guests.

The Secretary-1, well-wishers and guests received the Eight Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara and sought an Ovadakatha.

The Secretary-1 presented offertories to the Sayadaws and K 1.2 million for treatises to Chairman of Board of Trustees of Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik Siha Sudhamma Manijotadhara U Chit Hlaing.

The ministers and the deputy ministers also presented offertories to the Sayadaws. Course instructor Sayadaw of Insein Ywama Pariyatti Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Tilokabhivamsa explained facts about the course.

Nyaungkanaye Sayadaw Maha Dhammakahtika Bahu-janahitadhara Bhaddanta Indaka delivered a sermon. The Secretary-1 and guests shared merits gained. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tilokabhivamsa presented treatises written by him. The course is being attended by 2,147 members of the Sangha, 120 nuns and five laymen and it continues till 27 May. Arrangements are being made for publication of the lessons of the course on CD-ROM.The Secretary-1 inspected No 24 Basic Education Primary School on Bayintnaung Road in Insein Township and gave instructions.

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Yangon, 22 April—A ceremony to present cash and gifts by wellwishers to the Tatmadawmen discharging duties in far-flung forward areas was held at Tatmadaw Guest House in Inya Road here this afternoon.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony and spoke words of thanks.Also present were ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air), deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and wellwishers.

Chairman of All Bus Lines Control Committee (Yangon) U Phone Kyaw said that the Tatmadawmen are discharging national defence duties at risk to their lives in far-flung forward areas upholding Our Three Main National Causes. So in honour of the Tatmadawmen discharging national defence duties in forward areas at risk to their lives, the wellwishers made donations today.

Then, the ministers and officials accepted K 300,000 and various kinds of books worth K 263,350 by Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association; K 500,000 each by Weint Sein Gold Shop and U Htay Yin of Royal Garden; K 200,000 and books valued at K 300,000 by Today Group; K 300,700 by U Thien Maung-Daw Pa Pa (Sandi Traditional Medicine) and family; K 300,000 each by U Khin Maung Gyi-Daw Hla Hla Than and family and U Thein Lwin (Sein Family construction material trading); Ko Ko snacks worth K 200,000 by U Than Soe; dried fish powder worth K 200,000 by U Myat Lwin of Myat Tha Bye family Co Ltd; K 200,000 by Lt-Col Yan Paing (Retd), Chairman of Myanmar-Muslim Organization; Su Su Aye Aung ointment worth K 150,000 by U Win Kyi; K 100,000 and Naing-Ngant-Gon-Yi Magazines work K 25,000 by U Moe Htet Myint (Myitwakyunpaw); K 120,000 by U Saing of North Okkalapa and family; assorted cakes worth K 114,000 by U Aung Khin Myint-Daw Toe Toe Myint of A&T Confectionery; K 100,000 each by Headmistress U Khin Ohn Myint of No 2 BEHS in Lath Township, U Win Maung of Pyay, U Shwe Tha of Maungtaw Border Trade Merchant Association, Daw Aye Myat Nwe of AMN Co Ltd, Daw Mya Mya Win and U Hla Myint of Kaythipan Medical Hall; cassette tapes worth K 100,000 by Kyitha (Pwekyaikkhin); books worth K 82,940 by U Tint Shwe of Fashion Magazine Press; K 50,000 by Consul-General U Thein Zaw and staff of Myanma Consulate-General in Kumming; K 100,000 by trainees of Myanma Affairs and International Studies Course No 2, USDA Executive Advanced Management Course No 9 and International Relations Course No 6; K 50,000 by U Tun Shwe of Tun Shwe Wa medical hall; K 30,000 by Lanmadaw Township War Veteran Organization; soft drinks worth K 30,000 by U Soe Maw-Daw Myint Myint; various kinds of books worth K 20,000 by La-wun-thit Publishing House and K 10,000 by U Tint Shein.

The Secretary-1 expressed his thanks to the wellwishers for donating cash and foodstuff to the Tatmadawmen who are discharging duty in the forward areas and border areas.The wellwishers include people from all strata such as members of social organizations, ex-Tatmadawmen, teachers, embassy stuff and entrepreneurs. Among the donations including cash and foodstuff, there are also cassette tapes of patriotism-inspiring songs and publications.The leaders of the Tatmadaw are most delighted at the donations made by the people with loving-kindness, goodwill and sympathy to the Tatmadawmen discharging national-defence duty. Due to support and encouragement of the people, a sense of love for the nation and the people is stirring in the Tatmadawmen all the more, and they are ready to protect their nation and people against any enemy with the spirit of sacrifice.

Since time immemorial, Myanmar people has had a long tradition of protecting their nation and people against every enemy at risk to themselves.The Tatmadawmen have pledged to defend the territory of the nation against any invasion.In conclusion, the Secretary-1 thanked the wellwishers.The wellwishers donated a total of K 12,760,070 and foodstuff and publications worth K 6,895,200 for the fifth time.

Yangon, 22 April—Leader of Myanmar delegation Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha left here this morning to attend the 75th annual ministerial meeting of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 23 to 25 April.

He was seen off at the airport by Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, the directors-general of departments under the Ministry of NPED and families. Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint will attend the meeting as Deputy Leader.

Director-General of Foreign Economic Relations Department U Soe Lin, Deputy Director-General of Planning Department U Saw Lwin and Director of Road Administration Department U Aung Myint left in advance on 18 April to attend senior officials’ meeting to be held from 19 to 21 April.

Yangon, 22 April—Minister for Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein accompanied by officials, on 21 April, inspected main building for tender sales at the construction site of world class fish tender market project of Myanmar International Fisheries Joint Venture Limited, cold storage facility and main jetty for loading and unloading of fish at the industrial zone in Inlay Myaing Ward, Myeik.

Then, the minister inspected water purifying plant under construction and offices and left necessary instructions.Afterwards, officials of the joint venture limited reported to the minister on work and plans to be carried out. Then, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Tin Latt gave a supplementary report. Minister gave instructions on emergence of quality control centre under HACCP system.

Later, the minister met with livestock breeding entrepreneurs and departmental officials at the residence of U Tin Shein, poultry farming entrepreneur. The minister urged the entrepreneurs to breed RIR strain chicken which is suitable for the climate and environment of the region. There is sufficiency in local meat consumption. He called for exporting meat.Then, the minister and party inspected the poultry farm of U Nay Myo at Yaybone Ward in Myeik.

The minister met with fishery entrepreneurs and owners of ice factories, fish and prawn processing plants and cold storage facilities at the meeting hall of the limited. The minister attended to their needs.Later, the minister visited Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank (Myeik Branch) and Office of Division Head of Fisheries Department.The minister urged the service personnel to make efforts to help private livestock breeding sector for the development of livestock breeding sector of the State.

Yangon, 22 April — At the invitation of Deputy Chief Justice U Than Oo of the Supreme Court, a delegation led by Vice-Chairman of the People’s Supreme Court of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr Davone Vangvichith arrived here by air this evening.

The delegation was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court U Than Oo, Justice of the Supreme Court Dr Tin Aung Aye, Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme Court.

Yangon, 22 April—The painting exhibition of the pre-primary school and nurseries under Social Welfare Department and Akashi Pre-school in Japan was held at Lawkanat Art Gallery from 23 to 25 February.

About 2,000 people visited the exhibition organized by Kokoro Volunteer Group and viewed 171 paintings and selected their favourite ones.

Among Myanmar paintings, No 48 drawn by Maung Wai Yan Paing of No 6 Pre-primary school, Latha Township, won the first prize, No 101 drawn by Maung Htet Khaing of Htaukkyant nursery the second and No 15 drawn by Ma May Thu Kyaw of Kan Yeiktha nursery third. Among the Japanese paintings, No 24 won the first prize, No 9 the second and No 19 the third.

Yangon, 22 April—Bago Division Peace and Development Council Southern Command Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye, accompanied by department personnel, inspected the site for digging a drain between Kalachaung Village and Kathitwaing Village in Thanatpin Township on 20 April. The drain is 22 feet wide and 20 miles long, and earth work has been done on 10-mile section.

The commander then went to the project for dredging Sima Creek in Kanbe Village, Zibyugon Village-tract, Kawa Township, where officials concerned reported on regional development tasks, agricultural work and implementation of the project. He attended to the needs.

He inspected Paingkyun head regulator construction project near Phala Village in Kawa Township, and left instructions.On completion of the project, about 30,000 acres of land can be irrigated.He then visited Aung-myebonthiha Shwepyiaye Pagoda in Htongyi Village, and offered provisions to Saya-daw Bhaddanta Nandavamsa.Later, the commander inspected construction of the dispensary of the village Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and fulfilled the requirements.

Yangon, 22 April—Kachin State Peace and Development Council Chairman Northern Command Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, together with departmental officials, inspected preparations for hoisting Htidaw atop Lawka Marazein Khaungphu Pagoda in Khaungphu Village, Myitkyina Township, on 18 April.

After hearing the reports by members of Working Committee for Organizing Htidaw-Hoisting Ceremony on progress of work, the commander gave instructions.

Led by Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Myitkyi-na Wuntho Kyaungtaik Saya-daw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Silavamsa, the commander, members of the Leading Committee for Organizing Htidaw-Hoisting Ceremony, Working Committee and the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials concerned held a coordination meeting.

Secretary of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myint Thein, Secretary of Myit-kyina District Peace and Development Council Maj Than Htay and officials of the Working Committee reported on progress of work, future tasks and requirements to the Sayadaw and the commander, who gave instructions and attended to their needs.

Yangon, 22 April — The pagodas in Yangon were packed with monks and devout Buddhists and recreational facilities crowded with holiday-makers today, Sunday.

At the Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), the devotees were telling beads, meditating, offering Shwethingan and flowers to the pagoda and making donations. Among them, tourists were also seen.

Similarly, Thirimingala Kaba Aye Pagoda, Maha Wizaya Pagoda, Koehtatgyi Pagoda, Chaukhtatgyi Shwetha-lyaung Pagoda, Ngahtatgyi Pagoda, Thanlyin-Kyaikkhauk Hsandawshin Pagoda, Kyauk-tan Kyaikhmaw-wun Yele Pagoda and Maelamu Pagoda in North Okkalapa were teeming with monks and devotees. The holiday-makers were enjoying rest and recreation at People’s Square and People’s Park individually or in groups. Yangon Zoological Gardens, Thaketa Amusement Park and Myakyuntha Amusement Park were crowded with people.

Grafted seedlings are available. Garden crops, vegetables, fruits, farm implements and books on agricultural methods are on sale.Those interested in livestock breeding can observe various systems of poultry farming.Feedstuff and canned meat are available. A fish-breeding exhibition is also opened there.

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Yangon, 22 April — No 4 Basic Education Middle School of Mayangon Township presented middle school education completion certificates for the 2000-2001 academic year this morning.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Director (Education) of No 3 Basic Education Department U Nu, Headmaster U Aung Ko Ko, members of the school board of trustees and the parent-teacher association, teachers and students.A ceremony to present primary education completion certificates was also held at 10.30 am.

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