(1) Tree-planting ceremony held in honour of Myanmar Women's Day

YANGON, 16 June - Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council  Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, attended the tree-planting  ceremony at Damaythaka Sarthintaik in the compound of Thabinnyu Pagoda at Kyauk-yedwin Ward,  Mayangon Township, this morning. The ceremony was held under the sponsorship of Myanmar National  Working Committee for Women's Affairs in honour of Myanmar Women's Day which falls on 3 July.

Also present were Daw Mya Mya San, wife of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development  Council, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung  Aye, member of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs Chairperson of Working  Committee for Observance of Year 2001 Myanmar Women's Day Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of State  Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen.  Tin Oo, Daw Malar Tint, wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of  Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, wives of the deputy prime ministers, wives of members  of the State Peace and Development Council, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Chairman of  MNWCWA Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win, Deputy Minister  for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen. Thura Aung Ko, wives of the ministers, Vice-Chairperson of MNWCWA Professor  Daw May May Yee and members, officials of the Ministry of Forestry, division, district and township  level departmental officials, members of Yangon Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs,  Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade.

Daw Kyaing Kyaing and Daw Mya Mya San arrived at Damaythaka Sarthintaik at 9 am. They were  welcomed by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and officials. Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Daw Mya Mya San, Dr Daw  Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe and Daw Malar Tint, together with those present at the ceremony,  planted trees. Members of MNWCWA led by Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered 10 bags of rice and 10 viss of oil to Presiding nun of Damaythaka Nunnery Sarthin-taik. Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and Professor Daw May May Yee and members of Working Committee later planted trees on the plot south of Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township.

Then, they paid homage to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and members of MNWCWA donated K 30,000 to the fund for the construction of the Image; wellwisher Daw Mya Than (Magway), K 100,000. Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin accepted donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Altogether 100 trees were planted at Damaythaka Nunnery Sarthintaik; 262 trees, on the plot south of Mindhamma Hill.

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(2) Secretary-1 inspects progress of finishing touches to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

YANGON, 16 JuneÑSecretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, together with officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, arrived at Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept this morning. They were welcomed there by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, officials, experts and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees.

The Secretary-1 paid homage to the Image. He then inspected progress of finishing touches to the Image, and the officials and the experts reported on the finishing touches being put. He also inspected progress of construction of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi in which the Image is kept and Myanmar artistic works. Afterwards, he heard a report by Stone Sculptor Siri Sudhamma Manijotadhara U Taw Taw on Buddha Foot Print with 108 squares, which was curved in accordance with the approval of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee. He next inspected progress of construction of Southern Stairway, installation of Myanmar artistic works, work being carried out for greening the Hill and scared Dekkhinathakha Maha Bo tree, which was conveyed from Sri Lanka. Later, the Secretary-1 gave instructions and left the Hill at 11.30 am.

Exercise books presented to basic education and monastic education schools in nine townships

YANGON, 16 June-A ceremony to present exercise books donated by wellwishers to basic education schools under the arrangement of Myanmar Education Committee was held at Township Hall in Dagon Myothit (North) Township this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Minister for Education U Than Aung, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, chairmen of Dagon Myothit (North), Dagon Myothit (South), Dagon Myothit Seikkan, Dagon Myothit (East), South Okkalapa, North Okkalapa, Mingaladon, Mayangon and Hmawby Township Peace and Development Councils, school heads, officials of seven monastic education schools, members of the school boards of trustees, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, students and officials. The Secretary-1 said it is a book presentation ceremony for students of 35 basic education primary schools and monastic education schools in nine townships in Yangon and suburban areas.

Wellwishers presented donations for use in education sector to the Chairman of MEC. The exercise books were bought with the use the donations and they were presented to the students, he said. He said it was the first ceremony of its kind and arrangements have been made for presentation of exercise books to basic education schools. He said noble donation of wellwishers in education sector was useful for students to some extent and it contributes towards the measures to send school-age children to school by hundred per cent.

He spoke of the need for school heads and teachers to make systematic arrangement for the presentation of exercise books. The Secretary-1, Minister U Than Aung, the deputy ministers and the vice-mayor presented exercise books to school heads and representatives of monastic education schools. Headmistress Daw Shwe In of No 19 Basic Education Primary School in Dagon Myothit (North) Township spoke words of thanks. The Secretary-1 cordially greeted the school heads, members of the School Boards of Trustees and students. Five thousand exercise books were presented to 28 primary schools and seven monastic education schools in Dagon Myothit (North), Dagon Myo-thit (South), Dagon Myothit Seikkan, Dagon Myothit (East), South Okkalapa, North Okka-lapa, Mingaladon, Mayangon and Hmawby Townships.

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(3) Second-time donation for construction of three-storey Ananda Beikman building held at Maha Thuwunna Kyaungtaik in Thingangyun

YANGON, 16 June- The second-time donation for construction of three-storey Ananda Beikman building at Maha Thuwunna Kyaungtaik on Pawhsanhmway Street in Ward 29, Thuwunna, Thingangyun Township, was held at the Kyaungtaik at 1 p.m. today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt. Also present on the occasion were Presiding Nayaka of the Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta  anissara and members of the Sangha, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, the deputy commander of Yangon Command, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, chairmen of Yangon East District and Township Peace and Development Councils, wellwishers, social organizations and guests.

The Secretary-1 and party and the congregation took the Five Precepts from Sayadaw
Bhaddantananissara. Then, the Secretary-1 and party donated provisions to the members of the Sangha. A family member offered 115 sets of robes donated by Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo and family in memory of the late Sai Wunna (a) Ko Zaw Win Myint to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, the officials reported on construction of the new three-storey building, financial matter and availability of construction materials.

The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions. Then, the second-time donation for construction of three-storey Ananda Beikman building at Maha Thuwunna Kyaungtaik was held. Next, the Secretary-1 accepted K 5 million donated by wellwishers.

Then, the Presiding Nakaya Sayadaw delivered a sermon. The Secretary-1 and party and the wellwishers shared merits gained. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party inspected progress of construction work. Today's donations made by 56 wellwishers amounted to over K 13.6 million.
 
Secretary-1 attends teachership diploma conferment ceremony of Yankin Education College

YANGON, 16 June-The first ceremony to confer teachership diploma was held at the hall of Yankin Education College under Education Planning and Training Department, Ministry of Education at 8 am today, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt. Also present were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers U Myo Nyunt and Brig-Gen. Soe Win Maung, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, directors-general and chairmen of departments and commissions under the ministry, departmental officials, principal and instructors of the college, diploma holder trainees and their relatives.

The ceremony was opened playing the National Anthem. Then, Principal U Yan Naing of elaborated on holding the ceremony and presented diplomas to the trainees. Afterwards, he announced that distance diplomas were conferred. Then, morning session of the ceremony came to an end. The ceremony to confer teachership diploma continued at the same venue at 1 p.m. toady. At the ceremony today, 269 trainees who had finished the second year were conferred with D.T Ed(Diploma in Teacher Education) and seven trainees who had finished first year were conferred with Cert Ed (Certificate in Education). There were 537 D.T Ed diploma holders including distance diploma receivers and 28 Cert Ed holders. And, 340 of the graduates were given appointment orders as basic education teachers.

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(4)  Blood circulation devices donated to hospitals

YANGON, 16 June - Fame Hotel & Trade Co. Ltd and Ngwe Zin Oo Fitness Centre donated 20 blood circulation devices to Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and  Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this evening. Also present were Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Ministers Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen. Maung Nyo, officials of the State Peace and  Development Council Office, heads of department, heads of departments of the Office of Strategic Studies, commandants of Defence Services Hospitals and the wellwisher family.

The Secretary-1 accepted 20 MH Shalu Blood Circulation Devices worth K 2.88 million donated by U Khin Maung Kyaw and Daw Ni (a) Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin and family, and presented a certificate of honour to the wellwisher family. The Secretary-1 said that it is the second time Fame Hotel and Trade Co. Ltd and Ngwe Zin Oo Fitness Centre has donated blood circulation devices. BCDs and accessories will be distributed to People's Hospitals, Defence Services Hospitals and Traditional Medicine Hospitals all over the nation. A large number of BCDs donated today will be distributed to the traditional medicine hospitals so that they can be used for people from wards and villages.

At a time when efforts are being made to upgrade public health care, the donation of medical equipment is a noble one. The Secretary-1 thanked the wellwishers family. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 inspected the blood circulation devices. The wellwisher family explained the use of BCDs and their benefits. Twenty BCDs have been handed over to Yangon People's Hospital, New General Hospital, traditional medicine hospitals in YANGON, Mandalay, Pathein, Taunggyi, Myeik, Mawlamyine, Myitkyina, Monywa, Pyay and Sittway and Defence Services Hospitals.

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(5) H & T Minister meets guests

YANGON, 16 June-Minister for Hotel and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met Managing Director U Kyi Myint of Star Travelling Services Co. and U Min Ein of Shwe Lin Star Travelling Services Co. at his office on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon. The guests reported on promotion of China-Myanmar tourism services, and the minister spoke of carrying out work in accordance with rules and regulations set and forming supervisory groups. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Aye Myint Kyu and officials.

Self-reliant Bridge put back into service in Htantabin

YANGON, 16 June- A ceremony to put back into service self-reliant Mingala Bridge was held near
Pandaing Sluice Gate in Pandaing Village-tract, Htantabin Township, this morning. Present on the
occasion were Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Matu, Chairman of Htantabin Township Peace and Development Council U Thaung Han, Secretary U Khin Maung Myint, Commander of Township Police Force Police Captain Tin Tun, township level officials, Secretary of Township Union Solidarity and Development Association U Kyaw Tint, Headmistress of Pandaing Village Affiliated Basic Education High School Daw Khin San Win and teachers, students, members of the bridge construction committee, members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association and local people. Lt-Col San Matu and U Thaung Han formally opened the bridge and inspected it. Lt-Col San Matu gave a speech and Chairman of Ward Peace and Development Council Chairman of the bridge construction committee U Hla Thwin reported on construction matters. Then, U Hla Thwin handed over documents related to the bridge to U Thaung Han. and Lt-Col San Matu presented certificates of honour to those who participated in the construction of the bridge. Organizer of Village USDA U Lay Myint spoke words of thanks. Mingala Bridge, 60 feet long and 10 feet wide, is the self-reliant one of the local people.

Dutiful staff honoured

YANGON, 16 June-A ceremony to honour the staff of the Customs Department and members of the intelligence unit was held at Hlawga Wildlife Park this afternoon. The customs staff and members of the intelligence unit seized star tortoises, which are rare species in the world, at Yangon International Airport at 6 p.m. on 3 June. Present at the ceremony were Director-General of the Forest Department of the Ministry of Forestry Dr Kyaw Tint, Director of Wildlife Conservation Unit U Khin Maung Zaw, directors of the Forest Department (Head Office), officials, the administrative head of HWP, guests and others. Director-General Dr Kyaw Tint presented gifts to the dutiful staff.

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(6) Minister inspects IPRDs in Minhla, Thayawady, Taikkyi

YANGON, 16 June- Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, accompanied by departmental officials, arrived in Minhla, Bago Division, this morning. The minister inspected progress in building TV re-transmission station. Deputy Director-General Lt-Col Thein Aung and Chief Engineer U Tin Wan of Myanma Radio and Television reported on construction matters. The minister gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the minister inspected the site for construction of Minhla Township Information and Public Relations Department. Next, the minister went to the Thayattabin Village Affiliated Basic Education Middle School and BEPS and the Day-care School of the local battalion in Seinkanlant Village in Minhla Township and presented exercise books to students. After that, the minister inspected Thayawady District IPRD Office and Taikkyi IPRD Office and left necessary instructions.

Department for Progress of Border Areas and National Races holds coord meeting

YANGON, 16 June- Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt delivered an address at the coordination meeting of the Department for Progress ofBorder Areas and National Races at the meeting hall of the ministry yesterday morning. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers U Kyaw Tin and Brig-Gen. Than Tun, Director-General Col Than Swe of Department for Progress of Border Areas and National Races, Director-General Col Myo Myint of Development Affairs Department, deputy directors-general, commanding officers of field battalions (engineer) and regional development supervisors.

The minister said that commanding officers of field battalions (engineer) and regional development supervisors are to undertake respective duties in implementing the five development tasks for rural areas and border areas, and are to carry out agriculture and livestock breeding tasks for staff welfare. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Than Tun and Director-General Col Than Swe reported on requirements of the work. The regional development supervisors also reported on progress of implementation of development projects in their respective sectors. The minister then gave necessary instructions and attended to their needs.

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(7) Mass tree planting ceremonies held

YANGON, 16 June- Under the supervision of Yangon Command, the monsoon tree-planting ceremony was held at the local intelligence unit in Botahtaung Township this morning, attended by Yangon Station Commander Brig-Gen. Myo Myint. Officers and Tatmadaw-men and family members, the chairman of Botahtaung Township Peace and Development Council and departmental officials and members of Union Solidarity and Development Association planted 1,250 saplings. Station Commander Brig-Gen. Myo Myint, Commandant of the local intelligence unit Maj. Myo Aung and officials inspected the tree-planting ceremony.

More saplings will be planted at the unit every Saturdays and Sundays rill the end of August. Indagdaw Under the arrangement of greening plan, in the unit the monsoon tree-planting ceremony was held at Central Ammunition Depot (Indagdaw) this morning. Director of Ordnance Services Col Hla Tun and officials, the commandant of Central Ammunition Depot (Indagdaw), officers and Tatmadawmen grew 25,000 saplings at the compound of the depot. Dagon Township Under the supervision of Dagon Township Working Committee for Women's Affairs, the tree-planting ceremony to hail the Myanmar Women's Day which falls on 3 July was held at Children's Hospital on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road this morning. District and township authorities, officials of Township Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Secretary of Township Union Solidarity and Development Association U Khin Hlaing Tun, Medical Superintendent Dr Mya Thein and staff, members of Township War Veterans Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, service personnel of Township Development Committee and local people 120 participated in the tree-planting ceremony and planted 300 saplings.

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(8) SPORTS NEWS

North-East Command Soccer Tourney ends

YANGON, 16 June- A ceremony to open the North-East Commander's Trophy Soccer Tournament for 2001-2002 was held at the sports grounds of the command headquarters on 1 June afternoon. Present on the occasion were Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and wife, staff officers, officers and family members of Tatmadawmen, members of State, District and  Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials and fans. The commander gave an opening address. On 13 June, the playing of final match and the prize presentation ceremony were held. In the final match, Lashio Station-A beat Tangyan Station-A 4-2. Tactical Operations Commander Col Wan Maung presented first, second and third prizes to Lashio Station-A, Tangyan Station-A and Laukkai Station-A respectively and individual prizes to the winners. On behalf of the commander, Col Wan  Maung presented championship trophy to Lashio Station-A team.
 
Prizes presented to winners of Weightlifting C'ship

YANGON, 16 June-Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen. Thura Aye Myint attended the prize-presentation ceremony for Year 2001 third MOC Chairman's Cup Weightlifting Championship held at Aung San Gymnasium this afternoon. Also present were Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik, officials, President of Myanmar Weightlifting Federation U Aung Soe and executives and spectators. After the matches, the officials of the ministry and MWF presented prizes to the winners and winning teams in women's and men' under-20 divisions. Then, the minister presented prizes to the winners who broke the records and winning teams and championship  shield to Agriculture and Irrigation team.

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(9) 131,600 stimulant tablets seized in Tachilek

YANGON, 16 June-A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar
Police Force, acting of information, searched the house of Daw Cho Cho, daughter of U Hla Pe, No 1/18 Wankaung Ward, Tachilek, Shan State (East) on 9 June and seized 131,600 stimulant tablets, 62.8 kilos of stimulant dough ready for making tablets and a home-made single-shot short gun. Action is taken against her under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

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