( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing to pay goodwill visit to Malaysia

 Yangon, 23 Sept- At the invitation of Prime Minister of Malaysia His Excellency Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohamad Ali, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing will pay a goodwill visit to Malaysia in the near future.

Central Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport holds meeting No 5/2001

 Yangon, 22 Sept - The Central Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport held meeting No 5/2001 in the meeting hall of the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) this afternoon. Chairman of the Central Supervisory Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the meeting.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, the ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments and entrepreneurs.

The Secretary-1 said that with regard to ensuring secure and smooth transport, the task of upgrading Yangon-Mandalay Highway into a six-lane highway has been assigned to national entrepreneurs. As Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance that the participation of national entrepreneurs in carrying out development tasks of the nation is to be enlisted and they are to be allowed to participate in the task of bringing about swift and smooth transport in the nation. Therefore, duties have been assigned to national entrepreneurs by the State.

As the task is to be carried out in accord with the guidance of the Head of State and the requirements of the State, national entrepreneurs are required to strive for timely completion of the task of upgrading six-lane Yangon-Mandalay Highway. During this month, a ceremony to start the task of upgrading Mandalay-Meiktila section, the northern part of Yangon-Mandalay Highway, by Hong Pang Company was held. and construction work has been started. Other entrepreneurs are also performing tasks such as finding the axis for the respective sections of the highway and for bypasses, drawing road designs and the collecting of fuel oil and machinery.

 In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to work for the emergence of the six-lane Yangon-Mandalay Highway of high standard and assured them that the government and departments will provide necessary assistance. Next, Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe reported on the assistance to be provided for entrepreneurs who are engaged in upgrading the highway. Then, the entrepreneurs reported on the preliminary engineering work being carried out, the drawing of designs, the finding of the axes for respective sections and bypasses, the availability of gravel and machinery, arrangements to start construction work and other requirements. Afterwards, the officials of the respective ministries took part in the discussions. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the Secretary-1.

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( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends Waso robes offering ceremony of Thiri Mingalar Mahasi Yeiktha in Dagon Myothit (North) Township

Yangon, 22 Sept - The seventh Waso robe offering ceremony of Thiri Mingalar Mahasi Yeiktha on Myawa-dymingyi 1st Street, Ward 51, Dagon Myothit (North) Township, was held in conjunction with the fifth cash donation presentation for four-storey Thiri Yadana Kyaungsaung at the Kyaungsaung this morning. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony, offered Waso robes to members of the Sangha and accepted cash donations.

 Also present on the occasion were member Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, the chairman Sayadaw of Yangon Division and Dagon Myothit (North) Township Sangha Nayaka Committees and member Sayadaws, Presiding Nayaka of the Yeiktha Twantay Sayadaw Ashin Indaka 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, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, wellwishers, laity and guests. Member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhamma Pali Specialist Bhaddanta Suman-gala Lankara (PhD) invested the congregation with the Five Precepts.

The Secretary-1 and party and wellwishers presented Waso robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. U Ba Han-Daw Khin Aye and family presented K 3.5 million for the Kyaungsaung; Presiding Nayaka of Thiri Mingala Mahasi Yeiktha Twantay Sayadaw Ashin Indaka K 2.5 million; U Mya Sein-Daw Win Myint and family K 1 million; U Than Htay-Daw Le Le Win and family K 800,000; Daw Kyi and family of Latha Township K 700,000 and Daw Kyin Khin and family of Pyapon, U Myint Wai-Daw Aye Shin and family of South Okkalapa and U Phyu Win-Daw Kyin Shein and family of Dagon Myothit (North) K 500,000 each to the Secretary-1, who presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.

Then, the commander and the ministers accepted cash donations including K 450,000 by U Thein Win-Daw Kyi Kyi Thaw and family, K 300,000 by Ma Aye Myint and family of Okkan, K 220,000 by U Myint Oo-Daw Win Win Myint and family of South Dagon Industrial Zone, K 210,555 by wellwishers of Zeya Mingalar Sasana Beikmandaw in Bhamo, K 200,000 by U Thein Htaik-Daw Myo Myo Nyein and family of Pazundaung Township, K 175,000 by U Kaccayana and Ashin Kelasavihara of Baltimore, the United States of America, K 160,000 by U Ngwe Aung-Daw Kyin Myint and family of South Okkalapa, K 150,000 each by Daw Nan Tin and family, U Aye-Daw Myint Myint Khin and family, Daw Kyi Than and family, U Thein Han-Daw Ngwe Kyi and family, Ma Khin Khin and family, U Ohn Maung-Daw Hla Kyi and family, U Hlaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Hlaing and family, U Win Swe-Dr Daw Yee Yee Hla and family, Daw Khin Mya-Daw Khin Pu and family and U Htay Win-Daw Aye Myint and family and K 100,000 each by Ko Baboo-Ma Mi and family, U Swe Tint-Daw Yin San and family, Ko Toe-Ma Nwe Nwe Hlaing and family, Daw Mu and family, U Chit Myaing-Daw Khin Ma Ma Toe and family, Ma Yin Hsan and family of Homalin, U Aung Nyein-Ma Khin Than Soe and family and U Aye Myint-Daw Tin Tin Mu and family. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara (PhD) delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the success of the ceremony. The Secretary-1 and party offered "soon " to members of the Sangha. Today's donations for the Kyaungsaung totalled K 16,784,406.

( 3 ) Minister for Commerce inspects factories of MAPT in Letpadan

Yangon, 22 Sept-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading and officials yesterday inspected No 07 Bran Oil Mill in Letpadan. The factory manager and officials reported on the running of the factory and availability of raw materials. The minister inspected warehouses and the mill and gave instructions on boosting production and safety. The minister inspected the 250-ton rice mill and production of bags in PP Bag Factory. He also inspected the raising of layers in the factory compound.

Pathein-Thalatkhwa-Ngwehsaung road inspected

Yangon, 22 Sept-Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and departmental officials inspected Pathein-Thalatkhwa-Ngwe-hsaung road and road from Seingon Village to Seintaung junction on 20 September. Officials of Asia World Co Ltd reported on repair of roads and bridges. The commander said a new bus line will run on Ngwehsaung -Thalat-khwa-Pathein road. He also gave instructions on completion of the work as scheduled. The commander inspected Thalatkhwa and Tunpalun Bridges. He explained maintenance of the bridges, cultivation, regional development, health and education and fulfilled the requirements. The commander inspected preparation for opening of multimedia teaching centres in Pathein.

Provisions donated to Sarthintaiks in Yangon East, West Districts

Yangon, 22 Sept-A ceremony to donate provisions and present cash to Hsuhtoopan Pariyatti Sar-thintaik in Tamway Township by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers was held at the Sarthintaik this morning. Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, heads of departments, the Chairmen of Yangon East District and Tamway Township Peace and Development Councils and members, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association and Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and well-wishers.

Member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Thunanda of Mogok invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Then, Col Thein Htaik, Cmdr Nyan Tun and Lt-Col Min Zaw presented provisions donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to the Sayadaw. Afterwards, officials presented provisionsÑFive bags of rice donated by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, five bags of rice by Yangon East District and Tamway Township Peace and Development Councils, three bags of rice and five viss of edible oil by Myanmar Pyitha Co-operatives Ltd (Tamway), 150 viss of Iodine salf and 15 boxes of fine salt by Myanmar Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and Yangon Division Salt Millers Association, 50 bottles of traditional medicine by Traditional Medicine Department and 180 bottles of traditional medicine by Tun Shwe Wah family to the Sayadaw. Later, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and senior military officers accepted K 100,000 donated by the Ministry of Commerce, K100,000 by U Ye Aung-Daw Le Le Win, K 200,70 by U Thein Maung-Daw Pa Pa (Sandhi Traditional Medicine), K15,000 by U Tin Win-Daw San Win (KN Co), K 11,900 by Dagon Tin Win-Daw Mya Yee Nanda, K10,000 each by Tamwe Township Peace and Development Council and well-wishers, U Thein Nu-Daw Khin Mya, Tamwe Township War Veterans Organization and Daw Hla Hla and others.

Then, Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein accepted K 300,000 donated by U Thein Hlaing-Daw Yi Yi Hlaing and son Actor Lu Min for construction of Atula Gonyee Ordination Hall in Thanlyin. Col Thein Htaik supplicated on the purpose of the donation. Presiding Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik Bhaddanta Pandita delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained. The donations included 45 bags of rice, 18 viss of edible oil, 150 viss of Iodine salt and 15 boxes of fine salt, 26 viss of pulses and beans, 230 bottles of traditional medicine and K 317,790. Similar donation by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers took place at Dhamma Medini Pancabala Hill Missionary Sarthintaik in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon East District this morninig. Present were Presiding Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik Maha Sadhama Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Janeya, members of the Sangha and nuns, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, senior military officers and heads of department and others. First, Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Maha Nayaka Sayadaw Maha Thadhamma Zawtikadhaza Bhaddanta Kosalla invested the congregation with the Five Precepts.

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Adjutant-General and Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Then, Col Thein Htaik, Cmdr Nyan Tun and Lt-Col Min Zaw presented provisions donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to the Sayadaw. Officials presented provisionsÑ200 viss of Iodine salt and 20 boxes of fine salt donated by MSMCE, 75 bottles of traditional medicine by TMD, 120 bottles of traditional medicine by Tun Shwe Wah family and others to the Sayadaw. Officials accepted K 200,000 donated by the Ministry of Commerce, K 11,900 By Dagon Tin Win-Daw Mya Yee Nanda, K 15,000 by Myanmarpyithahe (KN Co), K 110,000 by Daw Tin Win, Capt Si Thu and Dr Win Pa Pa, K 30,000 each by Dr Khin Maung Lay-Daw Win Win San and Dr U San Kyaw-Daw Nyo Nyo Than and others. After that, Col Thein Htaik supplicated the purpose of the donation. Presiding Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

The donations included 55 bags of rice, 21 viss of edible oil, 41 viss of pulse and bean, 200 viss of Iodine salt, 20 boxes of fine salt, 75 bottles of traditional medicine, 120 bottles of lotion and K 607,990. A ceremony to donate provisions to Thekka Neimmitayon, Maha Pyinnyayama and Kyauktan nunneries in Bahan Township by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) was held at Thekka Neimmitayon Nunnery at 7.30 am today. Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein and Col Ye Chit Pe and Brig-Gen Aung Kyi presented provisions to Presiding Sayagyis of the respective nunneries. Presiding Sayagyis accepted cash and kinds donated by well-wishers for the nunneries. Then, Presiding Sayagyi of Thekka Neimmitayon Nunnery accepted cash donated by well-wishers for the nunnery. Col Kyaw Myint of the Ministry of Defence supplicated the purpose of the donation.

 Next, Lecturer Sayadaw of Wimalayama Nathnyon Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta Nanda Wuntha (Dhammasariya) delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained. The donations included 90 bags of rice, 36 viss of edible oil, 70 viss of pulse and bean, 500 viss of Iodine salt, 35 boxes of fine salt, 1,500 bottles of traditional medicine and K1,343,000. Similar donations to Ahriya Mandaing, Pithsimayon, Min Kyaung, Gandayon, Thukhakari and Nyaung Thonbin Sarthintaiks were held Ahriya Mandaing Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township at noon today. Presiding Sayadaw of Ahriya Mandaing Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta Thilasara invested the congregation with the Five Precept.

Then, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein and senior military officers presented provisions donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to the Sayadaws. Sayadaws then accepted provisions donated by well-wishers. Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Col Win Than accepted cash and kinds donated by departments and wellwishers. Later, Lt-Col Than Swe supplicated the purpose of the donation, followed by sharing of merits gained. The donations included 128 bags of rice, 49 viss of edible oil, 97 viss of pulse and bean, 500 viss of Iodine salt, 50 boxes of fine salt, 1428 bottles of assorted traditional medicine and K 767,500.

( 4 )  Commander attends opening of multimedia teaching centre and libraries

Yangon, 22 Sept - A ceremony to open a multi-media teaching centre at Affiliated Basic Education High School in Ywathagyi Village, Wetlet Township, Sagaing Division, was held at the school on 17 September afternoon. Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win attended the ceremony. The headmistress and the chairman of the school board of trustees formally opened the centre. Then, the commander and the officials inspected the multimedia classrooms and watched the skill demonstration of students. The commander also attended the ceremonies to open libraries in Hladaw Village, Wetlet Township, in Seikkhun Village, Shwebo Township, and in Kyaukmyaung Village, Shwebo Township, was held at the basic education high school of the village. The commander also attended to the requirements.

Work for development tasks coordinated

 Yangon, 22 Sept - A work coordination meeting on agriculture, livestock breeding and regional development tasks of Shan State (North) was held in the meeting hall of North-East Command on 20 September morning. Present were Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Brig-Gen Zaw Win of Laukkai Station, Secretary of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Win Han, departmental officials and district authorities. The commander called for cultivation of monsoon crops to meet the target, arrangements to grow cold season crops and Thitseint trees, cultivation of opium-substitute crops and matters related to agriculture, education, health and rural development tasks. Then, the district authorities and departmental officials reported on the tasks to be carried out. The commander attended to their requirements and gave instructions on cooperation of departments in carrying out agricultural, livestock breeding and development tasks.

Commander visits Yanhla Farm in Kengtung

Yangon, 22 Sept -Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, accompanied by departmental officials, went to Yanhla Farm in Kengtung on 18 September afternoon. The commander met with local farmers. The officials of Triangle Region Commander reported on cultivation of crops. The commander gave instructions on distribution of quality strain of groundnut and cultivation of maize and pepper.

( 5 ) Exhibition on Legacy of Bagan continues

 Yangon, 22 Sept - Exhibition on Legacy of Bagan continued today at the multi-purpose hall of the National Museum on Pyay Road. Monks, people and tourists visited the exhibition. A total of 59,548 visitors visited the exhibition from the opening day to date. The people are entertained over the weekends with ancient Bagan dances. The exhibition will continue till the end of September.

( 6 ) Applied Accounting and Management Course opened

Yangon, 22 Sept - UMFCCI Level I Applied Accounting and Management Course No 8 was opened under the sponsorship of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and with the assistance of Myanmar Society of Accountants at the training hall of the economic and education committee of UMFCCI in Pabedan Township this morning. General Secretary of UMFCCI U Zaw Min Win made an opening speech. Chairman of the Economic and Education Committee U Sein Win Hlaing explained matters related to the course. Vice-Chairman of MSA U Thein Hlaing explained the purpose of the opening of the course. Altogether 60 trainees are attending the five-week course.

( 7 )  Exhibition on ten Myanmar traditional arts and crafts to be held

Yangon, 22 Sept - Myanmar Artists and Artisans Association (Central) will organize an exhibition on ten Myanmar traditional arts and crafts in Tatmadaw Convention Centre on U Wisara Road on 24 November. The exhibition aims at enabling the people to study works of artists and artisans. Every member of the association may display four paintings or four sculptors at the exhibition. The panel of judges will select paintings and sculptors. Paintings and sculptors can be sent from 5 to 31 October. For detailed information, contact Myanma Artists and Artisans Association (Central) at the eastern wing of Bogyoke Market.

( 8 )  Timber extraction discussed in Ayeyawady, Bago Divisions

Yangon, 22 Sept - Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, together with officials, inspected departmental functions in Pathein on 20 September, in Pyay on 21 September and in Yangon today. During his trip, the minister discussed sewn timber, extraction of teak and hardwood, plantations for industrial raw materials and planting of perennial trees with the chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council and officials of Myanma Timber Enterprise and Division Forest Department in Pathein. The minister inspected Thida Konmyint and Nankathu Saw Mills in Ayeyawady Division. The minister discussed extraction of timber from Bago Division (West) and gave instructions on teak and hardwood in Pyay. The minister inspected the special teak plantations at the foot of the mountain in Paukkhaung Township and saw mills in Bago Division (West) regions.