Region
International Relations
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt receives Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Yangon, 20 Jan - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt received Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Hitoshi Tanaka at Zeyathiri Beikman, Konmyinttha here at 4 pm today.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects construction of Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk), Shwekyin hydro electric power project site
Yangon, 20 Jan - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than yesterday arrived at Wanbawdat Bridge in Bago Division.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and Brig-Gen Than Htay went to Nyaunglebin. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected the construction site of Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk). Senior Engineer U Win Aung of special group-6 of the Bridge Construction Project reported on progress of work of the bridge and preparations for opening of the bridge.
Commander Maj-Gen Aung Min gave a supplementary report. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than then gave instructions. Construction of the bridge started on 5 December 2000. The pre-stressed concrete and reinforced concrete bridge is 1,500 feet long and 28 feet wide. It has four feet wide walkways on either side. Clearance is 80 feet wide and 12 feet high. The bridge can withstand 60-ton loads and it will be opened soon.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected the site of Shwekyin hydro electric power project near Kyauknaga Village, six miles northeast of Shwekyin. Director of Hydro Electric Power Department (No 4-Construction) U Mya Than reported on hydro electric power projects in Sittaung valley and Shwekyin hydro electric power project.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than fulfilled the requirements. He inspected the highest point of the Shwekyin hydro electric embankment and hydrological and geological works. The embankment of Shwekyin hydro electric power project is zoned type. The length of the main dam is 4,200 feet and the height is 203 feet. Water storage capacity at full brim is 2,040,000 acre feet. The spillway is gated ogee type and water level is 178 feet. The four turbines can generate 83 megawatts.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected computer room and e-library at Shwekyin Township Union Solidarity and Development Association Office. Secretary of Township USDA U Zaw Win reported on organizational matters, community welfare service and future tasks. Member of Central Panel of Patrons of USDA Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on organizational matters and promotion of community welfare service.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party met members of Bago District and Shwekyin Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials, social organizations and townselders at the Township Peace and Development Council Office.
Commander Maj-Gen Aung Min and Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Htwe Myint reported on location and area of Shwekyin, cultivation and harvesting of monsoon paddy, purchase of paddy, production of cold season and monsoon crops for 2002-2003 and cultivation of kitchen crops, summer paddy and pepper.
In his discussions, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said the government is implementing the projects nationwide including border and rural areas for equal development after designating 24 special development regions in states and divisions and laying down five rural development tasks. He spoke at length on making efforts to exceed the set region-wise economic targets, extended cultivation of paddy for local sufficiency and development of agricultural sector in the region, raising of fowls, double and mixed cropping, increasing per acre yield, cultivation of pepper, laying emphasis on education, health and peace and tranquility, making Shwekyin beautiful and pleasant and effective implementation of the tasks by local and authorities, personnel and organizations for uplift of living standard of the rural people and success of five rural development tasks.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than met Tatmadawmen and families of regiments and units at Myawady Hall in Shwekyin Station.
Religion
Secretary-1 pays respects to candidate members of the Sangha of Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination
Yangon, 20 Jan - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, this morning arrived at Maha Pasana Cave on Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill where the 55th Tipitaka-dhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination is being held.
First, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party paid respects to Chairman of Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Ovada-cariya Committee Mawlamyine Sasana Manaung Webyan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha-rattha Guru Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa and member Sayadaws and presented robes to them.
Then, they paid respects to the candidate members of the Sangha of the examination and Sayadaws. Next, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party paid respects to Sayadaws led by Chairman of Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Ovadacariya Committee Mawlamyine Sasana Manaung Webyan Kyaung-taik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa at Kaba Aye Soonsarhsaung.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party received the Five Precepts from Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa. Then, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Member of Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Ovadacariya Committee Mandalay Paukmyine Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Aggavamsabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.
Next, the Secretary-1 and party offered "soon" to members of the Sangha. The examination started from 29 December 2002 and it continues till 30 January 2003. Altogether 168 candidate member of the Sangha are taking the examÑ66 taking the oral exam and 102 taking the written exam.
Cash donated for all-round renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon, 20 Jan - Capt Ngwe Tun (Navy) of the Office of Military Intelligence, donated K 300,000 on behalf of Lieutenant General (Retd) Raja Dato' Abdul Rashid Bin Raja Badiozaman and family of Malaysia and K 100,000 on behalf of Mr Soon and family of Malaysia for all-round renovation tasks of Shwedagon Pagoda at Ancient Images Hall of the Pagoda at 2 pm today. Member of Pagoda Board of Trustee U Zaw Min accepted the donations.
Region
12th Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition concludes
Yangon, 20 Jan - The closing ceremony of the 12th Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition to mark the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day in conjunction with the prize presentation ceremony was held at the People's Square on Pyay Road this morning, attended by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence.
First, the bands marched past Lt-Gen Soe Win. Then, they saluted the State Flag and fallen heroes and recited the four oaths.
Next, Lt-Gen Soe Win presented first, second and third prizes to leaders of the bands representing No 99 LID, No 77 LID and Central Command in the C class contest respectively; North-East Command, No 11 LID and No 33 LID in the B class contest respectively; and the best band award to the Commander-in-Chief (Navy)'s Office in the A class contest.
Afterwards, Lt-Gen Soe Win presented first, second and third prizes to leaders of the No 1 Band Company of Central Command, the band of Central Command and the band of No 77 LID in the C class band leader contest respectively; the band of North-East Command, the band of Eastern Command and the No 2 Band Company of Eastern Command in the B class band leader contest respectively; and the best band leader award to the leader of the Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office in the A class band leader contest.
Next, the bands saluted Lt-Gen Soe Win and left the square. Then, Lt-Gen Soe Win accepted K 100,000 for the Organizing Committee for the 12th Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition donated by U Tin Win of Myanmar Rice Millers' Association.
Lt-Gen Soe Win then gave away cash prizes to the bands of Tamway Basic Education High School No 4 and Shwepaukkan Basic Education High School No 6 which presented entertainment at the closing and prize presentation ceremony of the competition and band musicians.
Afterwards, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Vice-Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Maung Nyo presented consolation prizes to leaders of the band of South-East Command, No 1 Band Company of Northern Command, No 101 LID, Western Command, South-West Command, No 2 Band Company of Coastal Region Command and No 1 Band Company of Eastern Command in the A class contest respectively; North-West Command, Eastern Command, No 88 LID, Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School, No 1 Band Company of Yangon Command, Yangon Command and Coastal Region Command in the B class contest respectively; and the band of Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office in the A class contest.
Minister inspects MMU construction project, Thakayta Jetty
Yangon, 20 Jan - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe arrived at Construction project site of Myanmar Maritime University in Thanlyin Township this morning and saw over the construction of buildings and earth works with the use of machinery.
Managing Director of Golden Flower Co U Aung Htwe and officials reported on construction tasks with the use of scale model. Then, the minister attended to the needs and urged the officials concerned to complete the construction as targeted.
The minister and party proceeded to Thakayta Jetty of Myanma Five Star Line and inspected fish breeding and gave necessary instructions. He also inspected Taunggyi Vessel which was moored there.
Myanma Gonyi magazine comes out
Yangon, 20 Jan - Myanma Gonyi magazine of the Union Solidarity and Development Association has come out today. It includes short stories, cartoons, variety of articles by famous persons.
Those wishing to send manuscripts and insert advertisements in Myanma Gonyi magazine may contact the Chief Editor of Education Affairs Department, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (Headquarters), No 455/457, University Avenue, Bahan Township.
Yangon, 20 Jan - Geographical Information System Course concluded at the hall of the Agriculture Planning Department on 13 January. It is the refresher course for 20 trainees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation who had completed GIS course opened in November.
International Relations
Health Minister receives guests
Yangon, 20 Jan - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received guests who are here for the FRCS (Edin) exam today.
The minister received Chairman of Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh Prof John Temple and 5 members from Britain at 10 am; Prof Alian Patel of Association Medicale France Asiatic (AMFA) and party from France at 11 am; Dr Robert Yancey and Mr Philip Wiltse of Harbor Orthopedic Clinic from America at 2 pm; Dr Kim, Ho-Soon and party of Korean Oriental Medical Service Team Abroad (KOMSTA) at 3 pm at his office separately.
Commerce Minister receives guests
Yangon, 20 Jan - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Managing Director of Myanmar Sunny Co Ltd Mr Myung Shik-Suh and party at his office 1 pm today.
Yangon, 20 Jan - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Chairman of Myanmar e-National Task Force Brig-Gen Thein Zaw received Chief Executive Officer Mr Datuk Dr Mohamed Arif Nun of Multimedia Development Corporation, Multimedia Super Corridor, Malaysia, and party at MICT Park at 9 am today.
Similarly, the minister also received KY-Link Chairman Mr Yenn Chuan and party at 11 am. Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw received Hotelier Mr Upaket of Alure Hotel Resort (Tachilek). Officials of the ministry were also present at the call.
MOC Chairman's trophy traditional boat race ends
Yangon, 20 Jan - Chairman of the Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint attended the prize presentation ceremony of MOC Chairman's Trophy Traditional Boat Race and presented prizes to the winners yesterday evening.
The rowing teams took their positions at the designated places after the final event. President of Asia Rowing and Canoeing Federation Mr Wu Wen Ta extended greetings and donated Polo canoes and sports gear to the MRCF. The minister accepted the donations and spoke words of thanks.
Then, the minister gave away the first prize to Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the second to the Ministry of Industry-2 and the third to Ayeyawady Division in the traditional boat men's 9-oar contest respectively and the first prize to Strand Hotel, the second to Traders Hotel, the third to Inya Lake Hotel and the fourth to Summit Parkview Hotel in the Dragon boat men's 10-oar contest respectively.
Next, Director-General U Thaung Htaik and the President of Asia Rowing and Canoeing Federation presented prizes to winning teams in the traditional boat men's 7-oar contest and the wome's 10-oar contest and Dragon women's 10-oar contest respectively.
Later, the President of MRCF and officials concerned gave away the prizes to the winners in the hotel team contest, the women's 5-oar and 7-oar contests, men's 3-oar, the universities teams and men's 5-oar contests respectively and the special prizes were presented to the Ministry of Defence team.
ISD Men's Football Tournament continues
Yangon, 20 Jan - The first round of the 48th Inter-State/Division Men's Football Tournament continued at the respective zones this evening. Shan State (South) beat Sagaing Division 1-0 in the Group A of Upper Myanmar zone in Taunggyi. Khun Myo Win of Shan State (South) won the award for player of the match.
Similarly, Mandalay Division and Shan State (North) played a 1-1 draw in Group B of Lower Myanmar zone in Mawlamyine. Aung Kyaw Hein of Mandalay Division won the award for player of the match.
