YANGON, 20 Oct - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, accompanied by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Quartermaster General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Comamnder-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, arrived at Heho Airport in Kalaw Township, Shan State yesterday morning.

They were welcomed there by Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Brig-Gen Mya Win and Brig-Gen Thaung Htaik of Kalaw Station, No 55 Light Infantry Division Commander Col Thet Oo and officials.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party went to Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda in Nyaungshwe Township by helicopter and paid homage and offered 'soon', water, flowers and light to the Buddha Images. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party offered gold foils to the images, made cash donations to the funds of the pagoda through the pagoda board of trustees and signed in the visitors' book.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife paid homage to member of the Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda Board of Trustees Ovadacariya Namhu Monastery Sayadaw Dhammacariya Bhaddanta Kumuda and presented offertories.

After inspecting renovation of the platform of the pagoda, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party visited ancient Alodawpauk Pagoda in Nampan Village at noon and paid obeisance to the Buddha Images. They offered gold foils to the images.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party paid homage to the Buddha Images and signed in the visitors' book. After that they donated cash to the funds of the pagoda. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party viewed the Buddha statutes discovered from the caves to the southern and western parts of the pagoda, ancient coins and lead and silver plate records.

On arrival at Taunggyi in the afternoon, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party visited Sulamuni Lawka Chantha Pagoda where they paid homage to Kasapa Buddha Image, and made cash donations to the funds of the pagoda. After signing in the visitors' book, they paid reverence to the pagoda.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party this morning went to Konlon Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Htethon Village, Pindaya Township. Next, they paid homage to State Ovadacariya Konlon Pariyatti Sarthintaik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Bhaddanta Tejaniya and asked after the health of the Sayadaw. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife offered provisions to the Sayadaw. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win and party also presented offertories to the Sayadaw.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party visited Pyidaw Nyeinchanaye Pagoda.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife attend final rites of Shwekyin Sasanabaing Sayadaw

YANGON, 20 Oct - While serving the interests of religious affairs, member of the State Ovadacariya Chairman of Shwekyin Nikayadhibasi Maha Nayaka Dhamma Senabati Terasama Shwekyin Sasanabaing Shan State (South) Nyaungshwe Kangyi Pariyatti Monastery Presiding Nayaka Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa passed away at 9.02 pm on 13 October.

The final rites of the Sayadaw was held at noon today, attended by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye supplicated matters on religious affairs. Also present on the occasion were State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, State Sangha Maha Nayaka Sayadaws, Sayadaws and members of the Sangha from monasteries and disciples, Secretary-1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, SPDC members Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Maung Bo and Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Shan State PDC Chairman Eastern Command Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, ministers, officials from the SPDC Office, departmental heads, members of Shan State PDC, state level departmental officials, officials of Taunggyi District and townships, relatives of the Sayadaw, officials of the various committee for holding the final rites, religious associations, invited guests, wellwishers, disciples, local people and nuns.

Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Gandhavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Odata Siribhivamsa of Awaiya Rama Yankin monastery in Seinban Thanhlyethmaw (East) Ward in Mandalay acted as Master of Ceremonies. After opening the ceremony, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San received the Five Precepts, administered by State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Mandalay Maha Visuddhayon Taikthit Waso monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Agghiya. Joint-Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Vijitayon monastery in Mandalay Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma-jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vicareindabhivamsa read the message of condolence of the committee.

Secretary Sayadaw of Shwekyin Gana Working Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Sishin monastery of Maha Visuddhayon Taikthit in Mandalay Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Gandhavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Agga Ñanabhivamsa read the "Thanwaiga Dhamma Gatha" of the Shwekyin Nikaya Central Committee.

Member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Presiding Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Taik in Mayangon Township, Yangon, Sayadaw Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bandhagarika Agga Maha Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara read the message of Yangon Division Shwekyin Nikaya Viniya Department.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Soe Win, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint covered the remains of the Sayadaw with velvet. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye supplicated matters on religious affairs.

Next, Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung read out the message of condolence sent by the ministry, followed by the brief biography of the Sayadaw read by Sayadaw Bhaddanta Mahosadha Pandita. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San presented offertories to the State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Mandalay Maha Visuddhayon Taikthit Waso Monastery Sayadaw.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win also offered provisions to the Sagaing Sitagu World Buddhist University Chancellor Sitagu Sayadaw.

Later, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the commander, ministers, and senior military officers presented offertories to members of the Sangha.

After the recitation of the "Thanwaiga Dhamma Gatha" by Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Ñanissara, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, wife Daw Mya Mya San and party, and the congregation shared the merits gained from good deeds. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and party paid homage to the Kangyi Pariyatti School Sayadaw.

Sayadaw Dhamma Kathika Bahujana Hitadhara Bhaddanta Dhammavara announced the conveyance of the remains onto the carriage. Flanked by those holding the portrait of the Sayadaw and religious pennants, the members of the Sangha, the Secretary-1 and party, and officials conveyed the remains of the Sayadaw onto the carriage.

Later, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye pressed a button to set fire to the remains of the Sayadaw for the final rites. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, wife Daw Mya Mya San and party, and the congregation paid homage to the remains of the Sayadaw.

Afterwards, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, wife Daw Mya Mya San and party left for Heho and then flew to Yangon, and arrived back here in the evening.

YANGON, 20 Oct - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint accompanied by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, inspected tarring of the 18-mile Mandalay-Singaing sub-section of Mandalay-Meiktila Section under the six-lane Yangon-Mandalay Highway Extension Project undertaken by Hongpan Construction Co yesterday morning.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party arrived at the Toll Gate near Myothagon Village, Singaing Township where General Manager U Sai Philip Yi reported on progress in construction of the Toll Gate and weighing of vehicles with the use of computer. Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected tarring of 14-mile Singaing-Kyaukse section and upgrading of the old road with the use of heavy machinery.

They then inspected the 10 miles and 6 furlongs long Kyaukse-Minsu-Myittha section and gave necessary instructions to officials.

In the morning, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party proceeded to the Station Hospital in Minsu Model Village, Kyaukse Township where the Hospital In Charge Dr Sai Pan Ohn reported on the salient points of the hospital.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint fulfilled the needs and gave instructions on public health care services and growing of perennial crops in the compound of the hospital.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected the hospital and attended to the needs.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected the village telephone booth of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party arrived at Minsu Model Village Basic Education High School where Headmaster U Yan Naing Aung reported on the number of the students and requirements.

Township Education Officer U Mya Thein gave a supplementary report.

Later, Lt-Gen Ye Myint presented cash donations for the school.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected learning of the students, the language lab, the computer aided instruction, and the computer skills rooms.

Next, they proceeded to Monastic Parahita Basic Education Middle School of National Parahita Home in Myittha Township. They offered robes and requisites to Academic and Admin Sayadaws Bhaddanta Yewata, Bhaddanta Neminda and Bhaddanta Pannasami of the school. Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint presented cash donation for the school through officials.

Later, they inspected development of Myittha Region and village-to-village roads. Next, they arrived at Ywakhinegyi Village Station Hospital in Myittha Village and attended to the needs. After that Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected the hospital.

Then, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party proceeded to Ywakhinegyi Village Affiliated Basic Education High School where they inspected construction of the two-storey building of the school. They then donated cash for the building. Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected renovation of Pyaungpya Canal that supplies water for agricultural purpose and cultivation of monsoon paddy.

At 1 pm, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party paid homage to Lawka Manaung Shwegugyi Pagoda in Minsu Model Village, Kyaukse Township.

Mid-year Gems Emporium continues

YANGON, 20 Oct - Under the programme of the Mid-year Myanma Gems Emporium 2003, 168 lots of gems were put on sale at the Myanma Gems Museum this morning through tender system and the competitive bidding.

At the emporium, local and foreign gems merchants bought 33 lots of gems through the competitive bidding till 5 pm today.

Gems sale will continue tomorrow through competitive bidding.

Ophthalmic Surgeon's Conference to be held

YANGON, 20 Oct - The 15th Ophthalmic Surgeon's Conference sponsored by Ophthalmic Surgeons Society of Myanmar Medical Association will be held here on 13 and 14 November 2003.

Those who are interested to attend and those who are interested to read papers at the conference are requested to contact the Secretary of Ophthalmic Surgeons Society of MMA, Yangon Eye Hospital on Namauk Road, Yangon.

MAAS's paper reading session to be held

YANGON, 20 Oct - The opening ceremony of third paper reading session of the Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science will be held at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road here on 23 October morning.

A total of 104 papers will be submitted at the University of Yangon and Yangon Institute of Economics and those interested may attend it.

Export market promotion course opens

YANGON, 20 Oct - The export market promotion course jointly conducted by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) in Japan was opened at Mingala Hall of Kandawgyi Palace Hotel this morning.

General Secretary of UMFCCI U Sein Win Hlaing, General Manager AOTS in Bangkok Office Mr Kazuhisa Ogawa and UMFCCI CEC member U Moe Kyaw spoke on the occasion. The 10-day course is being attended by 40 trainees.

YANGON, 20 Oct - Myanmar delegation led by Auditor-General Brig-Gen Lun Maung left here by air today to attend 9th Conference of Federation of Auditor-General Offices on Asia to be held in Manila, the Philippines. The delegation was seen off at the airport by Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Aye Maung, Deputy Auditor-General U Khin Win, Deputy Director-General of Auditor-General's Office Daw Tin Kyi Oo and officials.

Member of the delegation Daw Thin Thin, Director-General, the Auditor-General's Office also accompanied the Auditor-General.

16th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting commences

YANGON, 20 Oct - The 16th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting hosted by the Union of Myanmar was held at Sedona Hotel this morning.

Present were senior officials of member of ASEAN nations Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and delegates, officials of ASEAN Secretariat. delegates of Myanmar and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Leader of Myanmar delegation Deputy Minister for Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung presided over the meeting and delivered a speech.

He recalled on the future tasks decided by 8th ATM and 14th STOM Meetings which were held in Indonesia last year. Some of the objectives laid down by Hanoi Plan of Action are still pending. The three important transport related agreements, ASEAN framework agreement on the facilitation of Goods in Transit, Multimodal Transport and inter- State Transport still need to be concluded as soon as possible. He said 7 ASEAN Transport related meetings will be held consecutively in Yangon.

He hoped that the meetings will be able to achieve our objectives and conclude these meetings to our satisfaction.

Leader of the delegations and members and officials of ASEAN Secretariat posed for souvenir photos.

In the afternoon session, participants discussed reports prepared by ASEAN Secretariat on resolutions, statements and future tasks laid down by the 9th ASEAN Summit held in Bali, Indonesia, implementation of the agreements on transport with the application of ASEAN minus X formula, reports of transport facilitation working group, cooperation on transport among dialogue partners- the People's Republic of China, India and Japan, ASEAN Highway Network Plan, Singapore-Kunming Railroad Project and general issues.

The first day session ended in the evening. The meeting continues tomorrow. Deputy Minister Col Nyan Tun Aung hosted dinner in honour of delegates of the 16th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting and officials of ASEAN Secretariat at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel.

YANGON, 20 Oct - The Saddan Hsinmin Drama Competition of the 11th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions continued today for the sixth day at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon Township, here.

Pantra Tin Moe Win's drama troupe from Yangon Division performed at the venue today.

Among those who enjoyed the performance were Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yongan Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, senior military officers, Commander of No 3 Military Region Col Tint Hsan, doyen artistes, and enthusiasts.

The Pantra Tin Moe Win's drama troupe staged its performance with artistic sense. Tomorrow evening, Mandalay Division will present its performance of Mahajanakka marionette for the first day at the same venue.

11th Myanmar performing arts competitions continue

YANGON, 20 Oct - The 11th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions continued for the seventh day at respective venues today.

The song contest was held at the National Museum on Pyay road, the dance contest at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street, the song-composing contest at Pantra School on Kaba Aye Pagoda road, the xylophone contest at Kanbawza Theatre on Kaba Aye Pagoda road and the Dobat contest at Padonma Theatre on Bagaya road here on a grand scale.

The competitions were attended by Member of the Panel of Patrons of the Committee for Holding the 11th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions Chairman of the Leading Committee for Holding the competitions Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, members of Panels of Patrons Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlements Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Vice-Chairman of the Leading Committee for Holding the competitions Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Wai Lwin, senior military officers, Chairman of the Work Committee for holding the competitions Commander of No-3 Military Region Col Tint Hsan, officials of work committees and sub-committees, enthusiasts and tourists.

Chairman of the Panel of Judges Assistant Director Daw Tin Tin Mya of MRTV, Secretary Assistant Engineer Daw May Pyone Khine and work committee members made judgements on the performance of the contestants at the song contest.

At the professional level religious song contest (female), a total of 15 contestants competed with Tay Bonma song composed by U Pyone Cho. At the basic education level classic/modern song contest (boys, aged 15-20), a total 15 contestants competed with Sabe song composed by Gita Nettan Ko Saw Nyein.

The professional level religious song contest (male), and basic education level classic/modern song contest (aged 15-20, girls) will be held tomorrow.

A total of 15 contestants participated in the basic education level dance contest (aged 15-20, girls). Chairman of Judges for Dance Contests Wunna Kyaw Htin U Sein Aung Min and members made judgements on the performance. A total of 16 contestants participated in the basic education level dance contest (aged 10-15, boys).

Today is the final day of all dance contests. The piano contest will be held tomorrow at the National Theatre. The higher education level piano contest (male) (female) will be held in the morning and the basic education level piano contest (aged 10-15, boys) in the afternoon.

The rehearsal of songs composed by the contestants were held at the Pantra School on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning. Songs entitled Lunge Ahman composed by contestants of basic education level song-composing contest (aged 15-20) on 15 October were rehearsed with the music accompaniment. At the higher education level xylophone contest (female), eight contestants took part in the contest with Kyun Kyun Paing Tha (Kyo) song.

At the higher education level xylophone contest (male), eight contestants took part in the contest with Kyun Kyun Paing Tha (Kyo). At the basic education level xylophone contest (aged 10-15, boys), 13 contestants took part in the contest with Baho Myet Than song. Member of Panel of Judges U Yee Nwe and members made judgements on the performance.

Altogether eight groups participated in the amateur level Dobat contest. Member of Panel of Judges U Sein Ba Maw and members made judgements on the performance. Altogether six groups participated in the basic education level Dobat contest (aged 10-15, boys) contest.

YANGON, 20 Oct - Hailing the campaign against HIV/AIDS Control, health talks were given to the service personnel of the Ministry of Industry-2 at No1 Automobile Factory (Yangon) on Inya Lake Hotel Street this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw, directors-general and managing directors, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association President Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and CEC members, officials and over 500 staff.

Director-General of Directorate of Myanma Industrial Planning U Khin Maung made a speech. Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Industry-2 Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gave talks on trafficking in persons relating to HIV/AIDS. MMCWA Joint-Secretary Dr Daw Nu Aye Khin also gave talks on HIV/AIDS. 

YANGON, 18 Oct - Myanmar Royal Academy (MRA) is conducting courses on spoken English classes (Intermediate) and English for medical students, HAs and nurses, doctors an medical English. MRA Principal and Academic Director Dr Myint Hlaing takes charge of teaching.

At the end of the month, special classes of TOFEL, GCE (English), English in accounting and finance and English in marketing and management and basic computer courses will be opened. Contact MRA, No 57, ground floor, Ninth Street Lanmadaw Township (Ph 222121).

YANGON, 20 Oct - Shwesaryan Open Golf Championship of the Myanmar Golf Tour 2003 organized by the Central Command, Myanmar Golf Federation and Myanmar PGA continued yesterday at Shwesaryan Golf Course in Mandalay.

After the 18-hole contests, prize presentation ceremony followed. Officials of Htoo Trading Co Ltd presented prizes to winners who stood first, second and third in handicap 13-18 contes, amateur level contest and professional golfers contest, and the hole-in-one award winner.

Next, special project manager of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd and Commander of the Central Command Brig-Gen Nay Win awarded daily best player in amateur level tournament and professional golfers tournament respectively.

Similarly, winners of the amateur level tournament and professional golfers tournament concluded also received prizes presented by President of MPGA and MGF Maj-Gen Win Hlaing.

Likewise, on behalf of the Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win gave away cash award to the champion of the professional golfers tour. Maj-Gen Win Hlaing also presented a gift to Htoo Trading Co Ltd, the title sponsor, through Managing Director U Te Za.

The golf tour was co sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Ptd Ltd, Htoo Trading Co Ltd, Nadi Myanmar Hotel, Air Mandalay, Grand Slam (Munsing Wear), Loi Hein (Alpine), Honma and Wilson, UPG and Myanmar Elephant Cement and Han Event Management took responsibilities to organize the tourney.

YANGON, 20 Oct - Acting on information, a combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Muse Anti-drug Squad searched the house of Ma Mar Ti in Kaungmulwai Ward, Muse, on 25 August 2003. The authorities arrested Ye Win (a) Lauk Hai, Ar Ta, Jian Yi Myint, Gao Tuan Myint, Myin Chun, and Rau Ta Chan together with 144 blocks of heroin kept in a backpack under the bed, 273 packages of heroin weighing 774 grams, paraphernalia, Ma Jia Ma Li and Ma Ai Bi San of He Tian, Xinjian province, China, and 2.859 kilos of heroin buried in a garden at the back of the house.

Action is being taken against the drug pushers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic and Substances Law by the Muse Police Station.