( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend Waso robes offering ceremony of families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air)

 Yangon, 4 Aug- The Waso robes offering ceremony of families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to Five Nikaya Pitakatthonbon Sar-thintaik was held at the Pyilone Chantha Maha Ordination Hall of the Sarthintaik in Dagon Myothit (South) at 9.30 am today.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the ceremony and offered waso robes to members of the Sangha. Also present were members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee led by Presiding Sayadaw of Five Nikaya Pitakatthonbon Sarthintaik Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Myingyan Sayadaw, five Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovi-da title recipient Sayadaws, member Sayadaw of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Sayadaw, the Pro-rector Sayadaw of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Rector Sayadaw of the State Pariyatti Sasana University and members of the Sangha of Five Nikaya Pitakatthonbon Sarthintaik,Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo,Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo,Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun,Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, ministers, the Yangon Mayor, senior Tatmadaw officers and their wives,  Tatmadawmen and their families.

Adviser to the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung acted as master of ceremonies. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party received the Nine Precepts from Vice-Chairman Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Lashio Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kavindacara.

 Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented Waso robes and offertories to Presiding Sayadaw of Five Nikaya Pitakatthonbon Sarthintaik Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita. Then, General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San,ÊSecretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe,Daw Khin Than Nwe, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the Commander of Yangon Command,Êthe deputy prime ministers and ministers presented Waso robes and offertories to members of the Sangha.

Afterwards,Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Aungmyay Bonsan Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pa–inda-bhivamsa delivered a sermon. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party shared the merits. After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation offered soon to members of the Sangha. Senior General Than Shwe's wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party also offered soon to members of the Sangha of Five Nikaya Pitakatthonbon Sarthintaik.

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( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends Waso robes offering ceremony at Kaba Aye Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik

Yangon, 4 Aug - A Waso robes offering ceremony of Kaba Aye Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik was held at the Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township this afternoon.

 Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt offered Waso robes and alms to Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Also present were Presiding Sayadaw of Weikzawtayon Kyaungtaik Agga Maha Pandita Dhammacariya Siromani Bhaddanta Vijjota, Presiding Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaiks Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Pali Paragu (Ph.D) Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara and members of the Sangha, the ministers, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, wellwishers and disciples.

Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vijjota invested the congregation with the Nine Precepts. The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited Parittas. The Secretary-1, the ministers, the deputy ministers and the officials offered Waso robes to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Taikoke Nayaka of Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik Ashin Kavidhaja supplicated on the plan to present awards. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara delivered a sermon. Then, merits gained for good deeds were shared.

( 3 ) Secretary-1 inspects construction work at Mindhamma Hill

 Yangon, 4 Aug - 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 Mindhamma Hill on which Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept in Insein Township this evening. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun and officials, scholars and members of the pagoda board of trustees. The Secretary-1 paid homage to the Buddha Image. Then, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi, the northern and southern stairways and progress of construction tasks. The Secretary-1 gave instructions and left there at 7 pm.

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( 4 ) Waso robes offered

Yangon, 4 Aug-The third Waso robes offering ceremony of the Ministry of Commerce was held at Tekkathila Maha Zeya Thatipahtan Monastery in Dagon Myothit (East) this morning. It was attended by Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of the monastery ‚ula Gantha Vacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Kovida and members of the Sangha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife, officials and guests.

The fourth Waso robes offering ceremony of the Ministry of Transport was held at Damayon of the ministry on Dhamma Rakkhita Hill here this morning, attended by Joint Secretary Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta ‚andima and members of the Sangha, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and wife, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Culture U Win Sein and wife, Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Ministers for Transport U Pe Than and Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and others. The fifth Waso robes offering ceremony of the Ministry of Sports was held at Dekkhinayon Monastery in Thingangyun this morning, attended by members of the Sangha, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and wife, officials and families of the staff.

 The 51st Waso robes offering ceremony of the Buddhist Association of Courts was held at the Damayon of the Association in Gyatawya Street in Bahan this morning, attended by Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Sukha Pariyatti Monastery Bhaddanta Janita, Chief Justice U Aung Toe and wife, Deputy Chief Justice U Than Oo and wife, officials and others.

The 48th Waso robes of-fering ceremony of Buddhist Association of the Ministers' Office was held at Damayon of the office this morning, attended by Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dhammikavara of Tezasekki Kamahtan Kyaung-taik, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office U Than Swe, Minister for Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tint, Deputy Minister for Livestock Breeding and Fisheries U Aung Thein, officials and guests. The first Waso robes offering ceremony of the Ministry of Immigration and Population was held at Padamya Monastery in Thaketa this morning, attended by Township Sangha Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ariyavamsa and members of the Sangha, Minister U Saw Tun and wife, Deputy Minister U Maung Aung and wife, officials and guests.

( 5 ) Secretary-3 attends Waso robes offering of Defence Services Camp Commandant's Office

 Yangon, 4 Aug-The families of Defence Services Camp Commandant's Office held a Waso robes offering ceremony in the compound of the Ministry of Defence on Alanpya Pagoda Road, Dagon Township, here, this afternoon. Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo attended the ceremony and presented Waso robes and offertories to the members of the Sangha.

 Also present were senior officers of the Ministry and their wives, Defence Services Camp Commandant Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein and wife Daw Amy Khaing, officers and other ranks and their wives, wellwishers, members of the Wut association of the Camp Commandant's Office and guests. The Secretary-3 and the congregation received the Five Precepts from Presiding Nayaka of Alanpya Phayakyaung Sayadaw Sasanadhaja Dhammacariya Bhaddanta Sirinda.

The members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta parittas. The Secretary-3 and wife presented Waso robes and offertories to the Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw. Afterwards, the high-ranking officers and their wives, the camp commandant and wife and wellwishers presented Waso robes and offertories to the members of the Sangha. The Sayadaw delivered a sermon, and then the Secretary-3 and wife and members and wellwishers shared merits gained. After the ceremony, the members of the Wut association recited Dhammacakka Sutta on the platform of the pagoda.

( 6 ) Devotees perform meritorious deeds on Fullmoon Day of Waso

Yangon, 4 AugÑPagodas in Yangon  Shwedagon, Sule, Botahatung, Maha Wizaya, Tooth Relic, Kyaikkasan, Meilamu, Okkalapa, Shwephonepwint, Tayashittaung, Zinaman-aung, Ngahtatgyi, Chaukhtat-gyi and Koehtatgyi  were crowded with devotees today, the fullmoon day of Waso, Dhammacakka Day. At the Shwedagon Pagoda, Ovadacariya Sayadaw Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Agga Maha Pandita Shwehintha Tawya Thiri Mantasan-kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa administered the Nine Precepts at ancient museum prayer hall this morning. Members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and wellwishers presented Waso robes and offertories to the Sayadaw. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. A Waso Shwekya Thin-gan and " soon " offering ceremony was held at Sule Pagoda.

Devotees offered flowers, lights, fruits and " soon" to the Buddha images. Devotees offered Waso and Shwekyar Thingans to the Buddha images at the eastern, western, northern stairways and Atulamanaung Hsutaungpyi Buddha Image. In the afternoon, members of religious associations recited Dhammacakka Sutta. At Botahtaung Pagoda, Agga Maha Saddham-majotikadhaja Vinaya Paragu Bhaddanta Narindabhivamsa and Joint Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kunda-lajoti delivered sermons. The 10th Waso robes offering ceremony was held at Dhamma Rekkhita Dama-yon at Maha Wizaya Pagoda.

The congregation received the Eight Precepts from Dagon Myothit (North) Township Theingaoktara Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhad-danta Kumudasara. Chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Phone Kyaw and members presented Waso robes and offertories to the members of the Sangha. The fourth Dhammacakka Day was observed at Waradahta Dartuzetiya Tooth Relic Pagoda on Dhammapala Hill. The 43rd"soon" offering ceremony was held at Meilamu Pagoda in North Okkalapa Township early in the morning. Devotees performed meritorious deeds at the pagoda. A Waso robes offering ceremony was held at the prayer hall of Thirimingala Kaba Aye Pagoda in Mayangon Township. Members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and religious associations presented Waso robes to the Buddha images.

 The 24th Waso robes offering ceremony was held at All Myanmar Buddhist Missionary Association at Sasana Beikmandaw of the Association on Shwegondine Road in Bahan Township. "Soon" was offeredÊto 10 members of the Sangha led by Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vannita of the State Pariyatti Sasana University. Then, devotees presented Waso robes and offertories to  the members of the Sayadaws.

 The 49th Waso robes offering ceremony was held at Phanyin Dhammayon in Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha in Bahan Township. The congregation received the Eight Precepts from Mahasi Ovadacariya Agga Maha kamahtanacariya Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajota Bhaddanta Samvara.

The Waso robes offering ceremony of Kyauktada, Pabedan and Latha Townships was held at Maha Theindawgyi Dhammayon in Pabedan Township this afternoon. Present were members of the Sangha led by Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta Pa–indabhivamsa (Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Aungmye Bonsan Sayadaw), Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Director-General of Department of Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Commander of No 4 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein, chairmen of Kyauktada, Pabedan and Latha Township Peace and Development Councils, Chairman of Maha Theindawgyi Board of Trustees U Han, social associations and wellwishers.

 The congregation received the Eight Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pa–indabhivamsa. The minister and officials presented Waso robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. The Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. Director-General of Livestock and Veterinary Department U Maung Maung Nyunt-wife Daw Khin Myat Nwe and service personnel presented Waso robes and offertories to members of the Sangha at Ashin Uttamasara Pariyatti Sarthintaik on Kyundaw Road in Sangyoung Township.

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( 7 ) Minister receives Japanese guests

Yangon, 3 Aug-Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein received Senior Vice-President of Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan Mr Nobuo Ikeuchi and party at his office this morning. Also present at the call was Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung.

Minister for Commerce receives guests

 Yangon, 4 Aug -Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Vice-Chairman of Siemens Co Mr Alexander Schulz and party of Germany at his office yesterday afternoon. Also present at the call were Director-General of the Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanmar Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Kyi Maung and officials.

( 8 )  Minister visits bridge construction sites

 Yangon, 4 Aug -Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, inspected Bago-DaikU Road section yesterday. They proceeded to Baingda Creek Bridge Project on Yangon-Bago-Taungoo-Meiktila Highway. Officials concerned reported on construction of the bridge. The minister gave instructions on construction work. The minister and party then went to Yenwe Creek Bridge Project on Bago-Taungoo section of Yangon-Mandalay Highway. The minister gave instructions and attended to machinery requirements. Then, they proceeded to Sittoung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) Project on Nyaunglaybin-Shwekyin-Madauk road. Senior Engineer U Win Aung reported on construction of the bridge. The minister gave instructions. The minister also visited Kwin Creek Bridge Project and Phyu Creek Bridge Project on Yangon-Mandalay Highway. The minister attended to requirements and gave instructions.

Minister for Electric Power inspects work in Hlawga

Yangon, 4 Aug- Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, accompanied by Director-General of Department of Electric Power Dr Thein Tun and Managing Director of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise U Yan Naing, arrived at Main Machinery Workshop of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise in Hlawga this morning and inspected machinery and equipment. Then the minister and party inspected the repare of old machinery and warehouse of the workshop.

( 9 ) Academic seminar on Oncology and Hepatitis held

Yangon, 4 Aug- The Academic seminar on Oncology and Hepatitis sponsored by Bumrungard Hospital, Bangkok and Resident Representative Office in Myanmar was held at Traders Hotel at the corner of Sule Pagoda Road and Bo Gyoke Aung San Road this afternoon. Present were Director of Medical Service Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han,Commander of No 4 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint,physicians, specialists, doctors and officials of Resident Representative Office.

Bago Division USDA holds annual general meeting

Yangon, 4 Aug-The annual general meeting of Bago Division Union Solidarity and Development Association was held at its office in Bago on 3 August. Patron of Bago Division USDA Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye delivered a speech. He said the association participated in development, social, culture, literature and sports for promotion of organizational and economic skills and solidarity of the association. The association carried out the future tasks laid down by the previous annual general meeting. CEC member of USDA U Pan Aung spoke on submitting the reports on implementation of seven future tasks and work done in the year by the Bago Division USDA. Secretary of Bago Division USDA U Saw Maw Tun reported on performance in the year. The meeting was attended by secretaries of Division, District and Township USDAs, Executives, members and officials.