( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend 48th Kathina robe offering ceremony of Ministry of Defence

Yangon, 17 Nov-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 48th Kathina robe offering ceremony of the Ministry of Defence at the hall of the ministry this morning and offered robes and alms to the Sayadaws. Present on the occasion were Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Aungmye-bonsan Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa and member Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

Also present were 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 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney- General, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon Mayor, high-ranking military officers of the Ministry of Defence, directors of departments and their wives and guests. The ceremony commenced with three-time recitation of namotassa .

 Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Aungmye-bonsan Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta Pa–indabhivamsa invested the congregation headed by Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing with the Five Precepts. Afterwards, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited parittas .

Next, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Kathina robes and alms to Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Aungmye-bonsan Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta Pa–indabhivamsa. 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, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife, the wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo and others presented robes and offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon. The congregation headed by Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing shared the merits gained. The ceremony ended with recitation of Buddha sasanam ciram titthatu. " Soon " was offered to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

( 2 )  Daw Kyaing Kyaing offers Kathina robes to Sayadaws

 Yangon, 17 Nov Ñ Theravada Buddhist Chinese monk Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Ashin Subhana (Su Hsan Li) of Myaukminsi Missionary Monastery, Maesai, Thailand, and disciples offered Kathina robes to Nikaya Sarthintaik on Pale Yadana Street, Dagon Myothit (South) Township, Yangon East District, for the second time this afternoon.

At the ceremony, Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, offered Kathina robes and alms to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Present on the occasion were Presiding Sayadaw of Nikaya Sarthintaik Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara, Sayadaws and members of the Sangha of Nikaya Sarthintaik and Theravada Buddhist Chinese monk Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Ashin Subhana (Su Hsan Li).

Daw Kyaing Kyaing views white elephant

Yangon, 17 Nov - Led by Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, 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, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Daw Aye Aye, wife of Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, and Daw Mary Tin, wife of Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife Daw Malar Tint, arrived at the temporary shed near Mindhamma Hill Garden in Insein Township at 11.45 am, and viewed the white elephant named "Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza" today. Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, and officials. The officials concerned briefed them on the white elephant. Then, they visited Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on Mindhamma Hill, and left the hill in the afternoon.

( 3 ) Laotian delegation tours Yangon

Yangon, 17 Nov - The Laotian delegation led by President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Samene Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket, who are currently here at the invitation of 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, visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, the industrial city of Hlinethaya and the Myanma Gems Museum, paid homage to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image and viewed the white elephant today.

The Laotian delegation, accompanied by Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and wife, Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet and wife, Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham and wife and officials, arrived at the Shwedagon Pagoda at 8.15 am this morning.

They were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, members of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials. The Laotian delegation offered flowers and lights to the pagoda. Mr Samane Vignaket signed in the visitors' book and made donations to the funds of the pagoda. Then, the Laotian delegation went to Kanaung Hall of the Department for Human Settlement and Housing Development at the industrial city of Hlinethaya.

The delegation was welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe, Director-General of DHSHD U Arnt Kyaw and departmental officials. Deputy Minister U Tint Swe extended greetings. The officials presented facts about the industrial city with audio-visual aids and replied to queries raised by members of the delegation. Afterwards, the President of the LPDR National Assembly and Deputy Minister U Tint Swe exchanged gifts. The Laotian delegation then visited the garment factory of Myanmar Yes Co Ltd in the section-3 of the industrial city.

Mr Yong Choi, in-charge of the factory, explained matters related to distribution of clothes at home and abroad and conducted the delegation members around the factory. Later, the delegation members went to the footwear factory of Tai Yi International Company Ltd and studied the production of footwear. Next, the Laotian delegation proceeded to Panhlaing Golf Club. U Aung Kyaw Moe of Panhlaing Golf Club explained matters pertaining to the golf club and Panhlaing Housing Project and replied to queries raised by the delegation members.

In the afternoon, the Laotian delegation went to the office of the Ministry of Mines. Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint extended greetings in Thiri Yadana Hall. Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein presented the tasks of the ministry with audio-visual aids. The minister, the deputy minister and the officials replied to queries put by the delegation members. Next, the delegation visited the Myanma Gems Museum on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. Mr Samane Vignaket signed in the visitors' book. Then, Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint presented gifts to Mr Samane Vignaket. Later, the delegation viewed the gems showroom of Myanmar VES Joint Venture Co Ltd. In the evening, the Laotian delegation went to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image.

The delegation was welcomed by Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Secretary of the Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image Construction Committee Cmdr Khin Maung Oo (Navy) and members, members of the pagoda board of trustees and officials. Cmdr Khin Maung Oo (Navy) presented facts about the Image. Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and members of the pagoda board of trustees presented a Buddha image to Mr Samane Vignaket. Then, Mr Samane Vignaket and wife and the delegation members made donations to the funds of the Image. Afterwards, the delegation went to the temporary white elephant-shed near Mindhamma Garden. They were welcomed by Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone and wife, Deputy Minister Col Thaik Tun and departmental heads. The delegation members viewed the white elephant named Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Yaza and posed for photos in front of the white elephant.

( 4 )    Regular press conference held

Yangon, 17 Nov-Regular press conference with local and foreign journalists was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here this afternoon. It was attended by Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, senior military officers of Ministry of Defence, news and information officials of the Ministry of Information, correspondent of Kyodo News Agency U Sein Win, President of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sao Kai Hpa and member correspondents and guests.

At the conference, local and foreign journalists raised queries on the rumours that 1,000 and 500-kyat currency notes were going to be demonetized. Giving clarifications, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said that rumours that 1,000 and 500-kyat currency notes were going to be demonetized were not true, it was just the rumours spread by unscrupulous persons. He asserted the curreny notes in circulation will never be demonetized the time of the State Peace and Development Council government. Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and officials also replied to the points raised by local and foreign journalists. Then, the regular press conference came to an end.

Diplomats visit Mindhamma Hill

Yangon, 17 Nov - Led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador of Italy to Myanmar Dr Cesare Capitani, diplomats of foreign embassies in Yangon, military attaches, resident representatives of UN agencies, and their families arrived at the temporary white elephant-shed near Mindhamma Hill Garden in Insein Township this afternoon. They were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun and officials. Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, Director-General of Forest Department of the Ministry of Forestry U Shwe Kyaw, Historian Dr Khin Maung Nyunt, and officials briefed them on the white elephant named " Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza ". They then viewed the white elephant. Afterwards, they went to Mindhamma Hill where they were welcomed by Secretary of Mindhamma Hill All-round Construction Committee Cmdr Khin Maung Oo (Navy) and officials. After visiting Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image, they left the Hill in the evening.

( 5 ) Myanmar delegation leaves for LPDR

Yangon, 17 Nov -A fourteen-member Myanmar delegation left here by air at 10 am today to attend the 6th Asian Children Cultural Festival to be held in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, from 18 to 26 November. The delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, directors-general of departments under the Ministry of Education, officials and families of the delegation. The delegation members comprises leader of the delegation Headmistress Daw San San Htay of No 6 Basic Education High School, Pathein, supervisor of the delegation Junior Assistant Teacher U Tin Aung Nyein of No 26 Basic Education High School, Mandalay, and six schoolboys and six schoolgirls from states and divisions.

Medical Specialities Conference continues

Yangon, 17 Nov-The 10th Medical Specialities Conference of Myanmar Medical Association continued at MMA auditorium on Theinbyu Road, Yangon this morning, attended by the specialists of respective subjects and post-graduated trainee doctors. Resource persons presented papers on paediatric speciality. Then, a conference on HIV/AIDS was held. Professor Dr Daw Thein Myint and Professor Col Daw Malar Thein presided over the session and resource persons presented papers on bacteriology, pathology, pharmacology, treatment and care ser-vices, and prevention. In the afternoon, a conference on radiology, pharmacology and cardiology was held. The conference continues on 19 November morning. Similarly, a workshop on gastro-enteroscope will be held at the training hall of Yangon General Hospital on 19 November.

Yangon, 17 Nov - The Buddhist Association of the Office of the Ministers held the 51st communal Kathina robes offering ceremony at the Dhammayon of the office at 6 am today. Present were Principal of the Yangon Division Abbots Training School Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kovida and members of the Sangha, Patron of the Buddhist Association of the Office of the Ministers Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, departmental heads and wellwishers. First, " soon" was offered to members of the Sangha and the ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of namo tassa. The congregation received the Five Precepts from the Principal Sayadaw. Members of the Sangha recited parittas. Then, the minister offered Kathina robes to the Sayadaw. Deputy ministers, departmental heads and wellwishers presented Kathina robes and offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Later, the Principal Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. Afterwards, the ceremony came to a close.

Sarsodaw Day Invitation Work Committee meets

Yangon, 17 Nov - The meeting of respecting-paying invitation Work Committee for Myanmar Sarsodaw Day (1363 ME) and Doyen Literati was held at the meeting hall of the News and Periodicals Enterprise, 212, Theinbyu Road, at 1 pm today. Secretary of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association Chairman of Invitation Work Committee U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay) made an opening speech. Next, Secretary of Work Committee U Nyunt Hlaing (Maung Nyunt Hlaing) explained future tasks. At the meeting, Joint-Secretary U Aung Thein Win (Maung Khaing Khant) and committee members U Kyaw Win (Manoaktha Kyaw Win), U Tun Shwe (Pyay Tun Shwe), U Hla Toe (Toetet) and U Maung Myint (Seingyun San Maung) took part in the discussions. Then, the meeting ended with the concluding remarks by Chairman U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay).

Minister inspects Indakaw industrial zone

 Yangon, 17 Nov - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, together with Deputy Minister Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw, arrived at Indakaw inustrial zone in Bago Division at 2.30 pm yesterday. Managing directors and officials reported on installation and test-run of machinery, construction of factories and workshops and implementation of greening tasks. Then, the minister inspected the production process at the radiator workshop, the test-run of automobile wheel workshop, sites for construction of an iron-smelting workshop and a ball-bearing workshop of Myanma Automobile and Diesel Engine Industries and construction of a power tiller factory of Myanma Agricultural Machinery Industries and left necessary instructions.