( 1 )  Religious titles offered to Sayadaws, nuns, lay persons for purification, perpetuation, promotion of Sasana

Yangon, 28 March Ń Religious titles were conferred on members of the Sangha, nuns and lay persons for their brilliant services in striving towards purification, perpetuation and promotion of Buddha Sasana and Pariyatti and Patipatti Sasana today in Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill, attended by 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.

The State Peace and Development Council as a means of paying reverence to members of the Sangha, nuns and laity for their religious services, issued the Notification 1/2002 and conferred religious titles on them. Also present on the occasion were State Ovadanariya Sayadaws, Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja Myingyan Koehsaung-taik Sayadawgyi Bhaddanta Sobhita and member Sayadaws, Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, title recipient Sayadaws and nuns from local and abroad, 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 and their wives, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min and wife, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers and their wives, the Chief Justice, the Auditor-General and the Mayor and their wives, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, senior military officers, deputy ministers, departmental heads, officials of religious organizations, social organizations, title recipient laity, guests and wellwishers. The State Orchestra played Dhamma songs before the ceremony.

 At 11.55 am, officials of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Religious Affairs Department, International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University ushered State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Sayadaws, Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, title recipient Sayadaws and nuns to the designated places. Director U Tun Mra Aung, Director U Tun Hla, Head of Department U Aung Thein Nyunt and Deputy Director U Mya Win ushered member Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.

Then, Staff Officer U Tun Naing, Assistant Director U Tun Shwe, Director U Moe Zaw Shwe, Deputy Director U Tun Yi, Deputy Director U Than Win, Assistant Director U Ko Ko Myaing, Assistant Director U Aye Lwin and Assistant Director U Thein Oo ushered five Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, three Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru title recipient Sayadaws, one Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajo-tika title recipient Sayadaw, 22 Agga Maha Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, 42 Agga Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja title recipient Sayadaws, five Agga Maha Kammathananariya title recipient Sayadaws, 22 Agga Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws and 26 Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja title recipient Sayadaws.

Similarly, Assistant Director U Kyi Lwin, Assistant Director U Nyunt Hlaing, Staff Officer U Hla San Win, Staff Officer U Lay Aung, Staff Officer U Tin Htut, Editorial Assistant-1 U San Tin Aung and Director Daw Khin Nwe Han Kyi ushered nine Maha Kammathananariya title recipient Sayadaws, 66 Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, three Dhammakathika Bahujana-hitadhara title recipient Sayadaws, 10 Saddhamma-jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, one Kamma-thananariya title recipient Sayadaw, four Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws and title recipient nuns. The State Orchestra played religious songs. At 12.15 pm, Director-General Dr Myo Myint of RAD read the agenda of the ceremony. Then, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko formally opened the ceremony. On behalf of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman Sayadaw, Secretary of the Committee Magway Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Five Precepts.

 Then, religious titles were conferred on religious title recipient Sayadaws inside the country and abroad and nuns and lay persons. Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye offered Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru titles to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Javana of Myoma Kyaungtaik in Shwegu Religious titles offered to Sayadaws, Township, Kachin State, and Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotipala of Kyakhatwaing Kyaungtaik in Bago Township, Bago Division. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru titles to Presiding Nayaka of Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sirindabhivamsa of Mahaaungmye Township, Mandalay Division, and Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vilasanara of Sagataung Kyaungtaik in Ywabe Ward, Pyay Township, Bago Division.

 Then, members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Maj-Gen Soe Win, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence presented Agga Maha Pandita titles to five Sayadaws, Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja titles to five Sayadaws, Agga Maha Pandita titles to five Sayadaws, Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja titles to five Sayadaws and Agga Maha Pandita titles to five Sayadaws. Then, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min presented certificates to five Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, and Chief of Staff (Air) Brig-Gen Myat Hein to five Agga Maha Pandita title recipient Sayadaws.

 Next, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin presented certificates to five Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung to two Agga Maha Pandita title recipient Sayadaws and three Agga Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin to five Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe to five Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint to five Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, and Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint to four Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws respectively.

Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presented certificates to five Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein to five Agga Maha Kammathanacariya title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein to five Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha to five Maha Kammathanacariya title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi to five Agga Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein to four Maha Kammathanacariya title recipient Sayadaws and one Kammathanacariya title recipient Sayadaw, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw to six Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board Dr Than Nyun to five Maha Saddhamma title recipient Sayadaws, Chairman of the Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay to one Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaw and five Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Chief Justice U Aung Toe to five Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, and Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws.

Later, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung presented certificates to five Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minster for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint to five Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung to five Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa to one Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaw and four Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, and Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein to five Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws.

 Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe presented certificates to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein to five Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Vice-Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint to eight Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin to five Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun to eight Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt to eight Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, and Vice-Chief of Armed Forces Training Brig-Gen Thein Swe to one Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaw, three Dhammakahtika Bahujanahitadhara title recipient Sayadaws, and four Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws.

 Then, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye's wife Daw Mya Mya San presented certificates to three nuns  two Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipients Nun Daw ‚andasiri of Thiri Maha Myaing Nunnery in Shwebo, Sagaing Division, and Nun Daw Osadha–ani of Maniyadana Nunnery in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Division, and one Maha Ganthava¨aka Pandita title recipient Nun Daw „anesi of Thameikdawdara Pariyatti Nunnery, Myitkyina, Kachin State.

 Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented certificates to three Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipientsŃNun Daw Inda¨ari of Zeyatheingi Nunnery, Myawady, Kayin State, Nun Daw ‚anda Bhagi of Thameikdawdara, Sagaing Division and Daw Vijjanandi of Khaymaythaka, Sagaing Division.

Then, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo presented certificates to two Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipients Nun Daw Sujanamani of Kyondaunt, Bago Division and Daw Ponanari of Thida Aye Nunnery, Bago Division. Afterwards, Daw Than Than Nwe, wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Soe Win of Ministry of Defence presented certificates to two Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipients Nun Daw Ottama „ani of Bagaya Tawya Nunnery, Sangyoung Township, and Daw Ottama Nandi of Thathanawunthi Nunnery, Shan State. Daw Khin Khin Win, wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein presented a certificate to Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Nun Daw Pandita Majari of Theravada Buddhist Missionary Nunnery, Sagaing Division. Daw Khin Saw Myint, wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo presented a certificate to Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient Nun Daw Kumari of Kulawithethi Nunnery, Ayeyawady Division.

 Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye presented certificates to Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Htay Myint of Hline Township, Yangon Division, and Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Sein Hla Win (a) U Hla Win of Dagon Myothit (North) Township. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented certificates to Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient Dr Tha Yin Latt (a) Tha Yin Myat of Thingangyun Township and Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Han Kyu of New York, USA. State Peace and Development Council member Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence presented certificates to Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Ba Khant of Bahan Township and Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Maung Maung of Kyauktada Township; State Peace and Development Council member Maj-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Aung Zeya of Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay Division, and Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient U Shein Aung (a) U Shein Aung Bo of Insein Township; State Peace and Development Council member Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein of the Ministry of Defence Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient U Ye Thu of Kengtung Township, Shan State (East) and Thudhamma Manijotadhara title recipient U Maung Hla of Palaw Township, Taninthayi Division; member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented certificates to Thudhamma Manijotadhara Title recipients U Htwe Maung of Thiri Yadanachan, Kyigon Ward, Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Division, and U Aung Myo Thant of No 528 at the corner of 84th Street and 45th Street, Mahaaungmye Township, Mandalay, Mandalay Division; and member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, certificate to Thudhamma Manijotadhara Title recipeint U Aung Myo Kyaing of No 40, Phayagyi Kyauksitdan, Kyunlon Oatshaung Ward, Chanmyathazi Township, Mandalay, Mandalay Division. 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, presented certificates Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Khin Nwe Yee of No 119, Thanlwin Street, Kamayut Township, Yangon Division, and Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Khin Thein of No 70/C, Ngwewuthmon Street, Bahan Township, Yangon Division, and Daw Khin Tint of No 50, 29th Street, Pabedan Township, Yangon Division. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, presented certificates to Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Khin Zabei Kyi of D/4, No 615, Pyay Road, Kamayut Township, and Daw Thin Myat Myat Win of No 390/1, Sethmu 1 Street, Bahan Township, and Thiha Thudhamma Theingi Title recipient Daw Nyunt Sein of College Street, Kyaunggyi Ward, Sittway, Rakhine State. Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, presented certificates to Thiha Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Ma Nu (a) Daw Hla Aye of No 310, Strand Road, Kyaybingyi Ward, Sittway, and Daw Mya Thein of Room 27, Building 15, U Wisara Housing, Dagon Township, Yangon Division. Daw San San Yee, wife of Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, presented certificates to Thiha Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Tin Myaing of No 28, Thalawady Street, U Lun Maung brand road, Mayangon Township, Yangon Division, and Daw Kyi Kyi Swe (a) Daw Kyi Aung of No 118/C, Yedashei Lanhaung, Yedashei Ward, Bahan Township. Daw Kyi Kyi Ohn, wife of member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, presented certificates to Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Yin Kywe of Pyay-Yangon Road, Thayettaw Ward, Shwedaung Township, Pyay District, Bago Division (West), and Daw Aye Aye Cho of Tocheyat, Ward 1, Thazi, Mandalay Division. Daw Aye Aye, wife of Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, presented certificates to Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw San San Htay of No La-6/57+58, Ka Ward, Pyigyidagun Township, Mandalay, Mandalay Division, and Daw Khin Myint Myint of No 106/108, Ngahtatkyi Pagoda Street, Bahan Township. Then, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin supplicated on matters related to religious affairs. Minister U Aung Khin said of the three Sasanas Ń the Pariyatti, the Paripatti and the Pariveda  the Pariyatti is the basic sector.

 The propagation and perpetuation of the Pariyatti will lead to ever purification and flourishing of the Paripatti and the Pariveda. In Myanmar, there are many religious universities and schools based on the Pariyatti. There are also many vipassana and meditation centres in the country. As their is a large number of Buddhist monks discharging the two religious duties  Ganthadhura and Vipassanadhura, the Pariveda is also flourishing in Myanmar. It is auspicious for the nation that the Sasana is propagating under the leadership of the members of the Sangha. The traditions of presenting religious titles to eminent monks and laypersons of the religious field have begun since the time of Buddha. According to the tradition, the good kings of the past successive eras conferred religious titles of the monks and laypersons.

As it always respects and values the ancient traditions, the State Peace and Development Council has been renovating and constructing religious edifices not only in Myanmar, also in foreign countries. It is also conferring religious titles on the monks, the nuns and the laypersons who are worthy of honour. On 4 July in 2002 (the Independence Day), the State Peace and Development Council presented religious titles to 266 monks, nuns and laypersons. The religious titles have been conferred on the Sayadaws, nuns and laypersons who contributed efforts for purification, promotion and propagation of the Sasana.

 As the monks are playing a leading role in striving for purification, promotion and propagation of the Sasana, the State and the people are making efforts to realize the ovadas of the Sayadaws and rendering all necessary assistance to the members of the Sangha. He wished all the monks and the laypersons to strive together for purification, promotion and propagation of the Sasana. Afterwards, the State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Kyakhatwaing Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotipala of Bago, Bago Division, read out the Ovadakatha of the State Ovadacariya Presiding Nayaka of Myoma Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Shweku, Kachin State, Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Javana. In his Ovadakatha, Presiding Sayadaw of Myoma Pariyatti Sarthintaik of Shwegu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Javana said the Buddha expounded on the fact that the perpetual existence of the Sasana is for the wellbeing of people, for the safeguarding of the world and for the benefit of people and celestials. It is due to the existence of the Buddha Sasana that people can distinguish between good and bad and between right and wrong. The more good deeds are done, the higher the level of attainment of wellbeing becomes. Those who know the value of the long-term existence of the Sasana are required to work for the perpetuation, purification and propagation of the Sasana.

The organizations of the Sangha at various levels need to be united. Only then can efforts for the perpetuation, purification and propagation of the Sasana be made. Next, the Magway Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. The ceremony came to an end at 2.35 pm with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciramtitthatu. After the ceremony, ministries, offices, headquarters, commands, stations, departments, Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, religious associations, companies and wellwishers presented offertories valued at over K 118 million to the Sayadaws.

Yangon, 28 March- 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 Shwephonepwint Pagoda in Pazundaung Township at 8.30 am today.

( 3 )  Military attaches meet with SURA members who exchanged arms for peace

Yangon, 28 March - The foreign military attaches met with SURA company commander Kum Kham, platoon commander Aik Maung and private Aik Pee at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this afternoon. Kum Kham, Aik Maung and Aik Pee had recently exchanged arms for peace and given a first-hand account of the terrorist acts of SURA opium-trafficking terrorist insurgent Ywet Sit's group, its drug production and trafficking and how fabrications were made in connection with the attack on Tatmadaw Pachee outpost.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, heads of departments of the Office of Chief of Military Intelligence, senior military officers, foreign military attaches led by Dean of the Military Attach/ Corps Military Attach' of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Col Phanh Sonephachanh and officials of News and Periodicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Information. Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Lt-Col Hla Min of the Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence explained the arrangements for the military attaches to meet with a SURA company commander, a platoon commander and a private from SURA opium-trafficking terrorist insurgent Ywet Sit's group. Head of Department of the Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence Col Kyaw Thein presented a brief account of the attack of opium-trafficking Ywet Sit's group on the Tatmadaw Pachee outpost with audio-visual aids. In replying to the questions put by the military attaches, company commander Kum Kham and platoon commander Aik Maung said that the purpose of the attack launched by SURA on Pachee outpost was to mislead a western nation which was indirectly supporting SURA into thinking that SURA was an organization attempting to eradicate narcotic drugs, to be able to mislead the world about the Myanma Tatmadaw and to accuse it of producing drugs.

SURA members including themselves carried stimulant tablets to Myanma Tatmadaw Pachee outpost. When the attack was launched on Pachee outpost, the searchlights from the Thai camp were projected on Pachee outpost, and the supporting fire of heavy weapons was given as well. It can be said that the attack on Pachee outpost was designed to tarnish the image of Myanmar under the pretext of narcotic drugs. It is estimated that SURA opium-trafficking terrorist insurgent Ywe Sit'

s group has about 7,000 members. The youths have a monthly salary of 200 bahts and the company commanders, a monthly salary of 290 bahts. Assistance money from a western nation has been obtained from hand to hand. Thais bought weapons for SURA members, and equipped them. The way the new members are recruited is that Thai police arrest those who come to Thailand without any identification and send them to SURA. The recruits are given training at Lwetainglyan. Lwetainglyan camp is on the side of Thailand. SURA members are forced to carry out terrorist acts.

 They do not want to carry out such acts. They have no will to do such acts, either. There are a lot of members who wish to run away. Those who tried to run away from the camp were usually killed when captured. There are persons who dare not run away from the camp as they are afraid of a large number of land mines planted in the vicinity of the camp. But they were able to run away from the camp as the mines were planted by them. They knew how to avoid stepping on the mines.

 The subordinate youths want to run away from the camp as they are being oppressed and fed like animals. The main business of the SURA group is refining heroin and manufacturing stimulant tablets. Raw materials to be used in producing narcotic drugs are conveyed from Ywet Sit's house to the drug refinery. The heroin and stimulant tablets manufactured at the refinery are then conveyed back to Ywet Sit's house. Distribution is solely done by the brass of the SURA terrorist group. The information on the source of the raw materials is beyond the knowledge of juniors like them. Although Ywet Sit is continuously mouthing the words like " liberation of Shan State " and " elimination of narcotic drugs ", he is setting  up drug refineries and trafficking the narcotic agents. The SURA troops are instigated with stimulant drugs before taking part in a battle. All the members of SURA have used the stimulant pills. They too had used the pills.

 The SURA troops are subjected to abusing stimulant drugs to have the combative spirit. They escaped from the SURA camp and exchanged arms for peace. Their only wish at present is to reunite with their parents at their home in Panglong. The bandits and insurgents are not able to approach the town. The meeting ended at 2.15 pm. The military attaches then viewed documentary photos on the SURA drug trafficking terrorist group, the map showing the SURA attack on the Tatmadaw Pachee outpost, the photos of the three who exchanged arms for peace and their biography, the maps showing the Lwetaiglyan camp, the drug refineries, and the SURA outposts and barriers set up in the surrounding areas of the Lwetaiglyan camp.

( 4 ) Appointment of Ambassador agreed on

Yangon, 29 March - The Government of the Union of Myanmar has agreed to the appointment of Her Excellency Ms Victoria Jane Bowman as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Union of Myanmar in succession to His Excellency Dr John Jenkins LVO. Ms Bowman was born in 1966 and graduated from Cambridge, Pembroke College in 1987. She joined British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1988. Then she studied Myanmar Language at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London between 1989 and 1990. After that she served as Third Secretary at British Embassy in Yangon and later she was promoted as Second Secretary. In 1993, she was transferred to European Union Department, FCO. From 1995 to 1996 she worked at the Fundamental Expenditure Review/Senior Management Review Team of FCO. Till 1999, she was a spokeswoman of UK Representation to European Union in Brussels. At present, she was on special unpaid leave from FCO and worked at the Office of Mr Chris Patten, European Commission, Brussels. Her primary responsibility is EU Relations with Asia and Africa. She speaks French, Myanmar, Spanish, German, Portuguese and some Thai.

( 5 ) Workshop on AUN-QA for Chief Quality Officers held

Yangon, 28 March- The Workshop on AUN-QA for Chief Quality Officers (CQOs) was held at Diamond Jubilee Hall this morning. Present were Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt, ASEAN Universities Network Executive Director Dr Supachai Yavaprabhas and representatives of universities of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards, rectors of universities in Yangon and officials. First, Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt and Executive Director Dr Supachai Yavaprabhas gave speeches. Those present discussed the paper "Best Practices for Teaching and Learning". Altogether 45 representatives  one from Brunei, one from Cambodia, three from Indonesia, one from Lao PDR, six from Malaysia, two representatives and 16 observers from Myanmar, one from the Philippines, two from Singapore, six from Thailand, two from Vietnam and four from the ASEAN Universities Network Office are attending the workshop which will last till 30 March.

Merits shared for offering of soon and provisions to Sayadaws, members of the Sangha and nuns

Yangon, 28 March - A ceremony to share merits gained for the offering of soon and provisions to Sayadaws and members of the Sangha who attended the religious title offering ceremony and Sayadaws who attended the Second Meeting of the Fifth State Central Working Committee of the Sangha was held at Maha Nayaka Kyaungsaung, Kaba Aye, this morning.

 The ceremony was attended by Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhad-danta Kumara and Sayadaws, Patron of the Yangon Division Central Committee for the Offering of Provisions Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, departmental heads, chairmen and members of division/district/township Peace and Development Councils and laymen. Chief Officer of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department U San Thin Hlaing acted as the master of ceremonies. The ceremony was opened with three times recitation of Namosasa.

 Then, the congregation received the Five Precepts from Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Aungmyae-bonsan Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Paninda Bhivamsa. Afterwards, members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe made a speech on holding the ceremony. He said altogether 633 Sayadaws and nuns 224 Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru and Agga Maha Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, 394 Sayadaws who attended the meeting and 15 title recipient nuns are offered soon this year and this ceremony was held to share merits gained. Sayadaws were offered provisions worth K 118,235,851 donated by ministries, offices, headquarters, stations, departments, division/district/township Peace and Development Councils, religious associations and wellwishers. The commander, ministers, deputy ministers and officials offered provisions to the Sayadaws. The Magway Sayadaw then delivered a sermon followed by sharing of merits gained. Then, the ceremony came to a close with three times recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titahtu. After the ceremony, the Sayadaws were offered soon. U Thein Maung-Daw Pa Pa (Sandhi Traditional Medicine) presented provisions worth K 180,000 and Thirithudhamma Manijotandhara U Sein Hla Win provisions worth K 108,000 to 18 Sayadaws.

( 6 ) Minister hosts dinner to China National Tourism Administration Chairman

Yangon, 28 March - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin hosted a dinner to Chairman of China National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China Mr He Guangwei and party at the Inya Lake Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 7 pm today. Also present were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Brig-Gen Abel, deputy ministers, heads of department and charge d' affaires ai of the Chinese Embassy Mr Tang Ying.

Minister inspects construction of bridges

Yangon, 28 March - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, inspected construction of bridges in Bago Division this morning. First, the minister and party arrived at Baingder Creek bridge construction site on Yangon-Mandalay road. Assistant Engineer U Myint Lwin reported on progress of work and future tasks. The minister gave necessary instructions. One lane of the bridge has been completed and remaining three lanes are being constructed. On completion, the four-lane bridge, a 300-foot long and reinforced concrete one, will be 60-foot wide and can withstand 60-ton loads. The minister and party also inspected the construction of Yenwe Creek bridge. Chief Engineer Daw Si Si Than reported on progress of work. The minister gave instructions on utilization of already completed two lanes of the bridge as a temporary bridge starting from 29 March and storage of construction materials and presented cash award to the construction group. On completion, the bridge will be 360-foot long and 60-foot wide including the two pedestrian lanes.