Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia concludes official visit
Yangon, 21 March — The goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia left here for home by special flight this evening after paying an official visit to Myanmar. She and her goodwill delegation arrived here on 19 March at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe.
Before the departure, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe called on Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Seinle Kantha State House at 4 pm.
The Senior General presented a documentary photo album and a video tape of her goodwill visit to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.
Together with Senior General Than Shwe, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia left Seinle Kantha State House for Yangon International Airport in a motorcade.
Along the University Avenue from Seinle Kantha State House and along the route to the airport, teachers, students, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Women’s Affairs Committee, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, nurses and people numbering over 7,500 greeted the guests waving miniature flags of the two countries and chanting the slogans wishing Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Senior General Than Shwe good health and hailing Myanmar-Bangladesh friendship.
At 4.25 pm, the visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister and the Senior General arrived at Yangon International Airport.
The Bangladeshi Prime Minister was seen off at the airport by Senior General Than Shwe, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Ohn Thwin, Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Myanmar Mr A B Manjoor Rahim and embassy staff. Afterwards, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister bade farewell to Senior General Than Shwe.
School girls at the airport bade farewell to the guests waving miniature flags of the two countries and chanting best wishes for the well-being of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister and Senior General Than Shwe and for further strengthening friendship between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The aircraft carrying the Bangladeshi goodwill delegation took off at 4.45 pm.
Senior General Than Shwe and party bade farewell to the guests from the VIP lounge.
Senior General Than Shwe sends congratulatory message to Prime Minister of Turkey
Yangon, 21 March — Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his assumption of duties as Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and entourage visit Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon, 21 March — Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia and members, together with Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Ohn Thwin, Director-General of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet, Bangladeshi Ambassador Mr A B Manjoor Rahim and officials, paid homage to Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister and members arrived at Shwedagon Pagoda at 11:15 am today. They were welcomed by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint and officials.
The prime minister signed in the visitors’ book at the eastern prayer hall of the Pagoda. The visiting prime minister then donated K 500,000 to the Pagoda funds through the Pagoda Board of Trustees. Members of the board of trustees presented two books on Shwedagon Pagoda architectural structures and hoisting of the new umbrella atop the pagoda to the prime minister. The prime minister and party paid homage to the pagoda and left there at 11:35 am.
The prime minister and members arrived at People’s Park on Pyay road and Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and officials welcomed them.
The visiting prime minister planted a commemorative tree. They then posed for a documentary photo and left there.
Bangladeshi PM visits King Zafar Shah’s Tomb
Yangon, 21 March — Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia and delegation said prayers at King Zafar Shah’s Tomb at the corner of U Wisara Road and Ziwaka Street in Dagon Township this morning.
The Bangladeshi Prime Minister and delegation arrived here at the invitation of Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar.
Minister U Win Aung arrives back
Yangon, 21 March— U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs, arrived back here by air this morning after attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Informal Meeting held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, from 18 to 20 March.
Together with the minister, Director-General U Thaung Tun and Deputy Director U Hlaing Myint Oo of the ministry also arrived back on the same flight.
SWRR Minister receives Japanese guest
Yangon, 21 March — Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa received General Manager Mr Okuda of Mitsui & Co Ltd of Japan at the Maykhala Hall of the ministry in Mayangon Township at 2 pm today.
Health Minister receives guests
Yangon, 21 March — Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint received Senior Management Personnel of Save the Children (UK) Mr Barrie Hudson and Mr Douglas Webb at his office on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road in Dagon Township this morning.
Energy Minister receives Bangladeshi Minister
Yangon, 21 March — Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi received Minister for Commerce of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mr Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at the ministry on Pyay Road yesterday evening. The ministers cordially discussed matters related to the energy sector.
Fifty-four tourists arrive by air
Yangon, 21 March — Fifty-four Malaysian visitors arrived here by air this afternoon as the first contingent of Silverstone Group, Malaysia. The visit of a total of 190 visitors of Silverstone Group is jointly sponsored by Myanmar Tourex Travels Ltd and Mayflower Travel Shoppe Sdn Bhd of Malaysia.
Members of Myanma cultural dance troupe of Myanma Tourism Service and officials of Myanmar Tourex Travels Ltd welcomed them. The tourists will visit Yangon and Bago and will left on 23 March.
Delegates of Forum on Regional Economic Cooperation tour downtown Yangon
Yangon, 21 March—Delegates and observers of Fourth Forum on Regional Economic Cooperation Among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar, hosted by the Union of Myanmar, together with officials, arrived at Myanmar International Thilawa Terminal at 8.30 am today.
The delegates and observers then arrived at Shwedagon Pagoda. Officials of the office of the pagoda board of trustees welcomed them and explained the history of the pagoda. Then, they signed in the visitors’ book at Japan Prayer Hall and paid homage to the pagoda.
They arrived at MICT Park in Hline Township at 11.30 am. General Manager U Thaung Nyunt explained the objective of opening of the MICT Park, structure of the buildings, works being carried out, opening of courses and future plans. He also replied the queries raised by the visitors. Afterwards, the delegates and observers viewed round the MICT Park.
Region
Secretary-2 attends opening of factories in Yamethin
Yangon 21 March — Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, left here for Mandalay by air this morning.
The Secretary-2 and party helicoptered to Yamethin. The Secretary-2 and party attended the opening of the Dyeing and Printing Factory and Soap Factory to hail the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day in Yamethin.
The opening of the Dyeing and Printing Factory (Yamethin) under the Myanma Textile Industries of the Ministry of Industry-1 was held at the factory. Managing Director of MTI U Oo Thein Maung and Chief General Manager of PEC Ltd of India Mr S. R Bharati formally opened the factory. The Secretary-2 formally unveiled the signboard of the factory. The Secretary-2 and party inspected production process at the factory.
Then, the minister reported to the Secretary-2 on cloths produced by the factory. The factory was constructed at a cost of K 1,257 million including foreign currency with the aim of fulfiling the local demand, to improve the living standard after regional development, creating job opportunities, and to promoting technologies.
The Soap Factory (Yamethin) was opened at the factory at 9.15 am. Managing Director of Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries U Myint Oo and Chairman of Sein Pan Industrial Cooperative Ltd U Kyaw Win formally opened the factory. The Secretary-2 pressed the button to unveil the factory signboard.
Officials reported to the Secretary-2 on production process with the use of charts. The Secretary-2 and party then inspected the process of production and finished goods.
Managing Director U Oo Thein Maung and Managing Director U Myint Oo reported on salient points of the factories. The Secretary-2 gave necessary instructions. The soap factory was built with the aim of fulfiling the demand of the entire nation, to contribute towards regional development, to create job opportunities in the region and to encourage Myanmar technicians to construct standard soap factories without foreign-made machines. The Sein Pan Industrial Cooperative Ltd has been successfully building factories including soap factories and dyeing and printing factories without foreign-made machines.
The Dyeing and Printing Factory (Yamethin) and Soap Factory (Yamethin) lie near Shwedah Village on Yangon-Mandalay Highway, Yamethin Township, Mandalay Division.
Lt-Gen Kyaw Win accepts cash and kind donated to Armed Forces Day parade columns
Yangon, 21 March — Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win accepts the cash and kind donated to the Armed Forces Day parade columns including K 1.5 million by Chairman U Yan Pay Zone and Secretary U Myint Lwin of National Race Cultural Troupe in Tamoenye, Kutkai Township, Shan State (North) and 795 pairs of badges worth K 373,650 by Executive Director U Thet Tin of Shwe Myin Tin Co and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers at the meeting hall of Directorate of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute this afternoon.
Afterwards, wellwisher U Myint Lwin explained the purpose of donations. Lt-Gen Kyaw Win spoke words of thanks and greeted the wellwishers.
Afterwards, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspected the display of special projects being implemented under the State Peace and Development Council by commands, ministries and Yangon City Development Committee in the nation building endeavours booth of the exhibition and gave necessary instructions. Then, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and party proceeded to the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road and inspected the prize winning colour photos, sculptures, plaster sculptures, paintings, essays, poems and marching songs and entries of the competitions to be exhibited at the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Literary and Arts Exhibition and gave necessary instructions.
Lt-Gen Kyaw Win accepts cash and kind donated to Armed Forces Day parade columns
Yangon, 21 March — Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win accepts the cash and kind donated to the Armed Forces Day parade columns including K 1.5 million by Chairman U Yan Pay Zone and Secretary U Myint Lwin of National Race Cultural Troupe in Tamoenye, Kutkai Township, Shan State (North) and 795 pairs of badges worth K 373,650 by Executive Director U Thet Tin of Shwe Myin Tin Co and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers at the meeting hall of Directorate of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute this afternoon.
Afterwards, wellwisher U Myint Lwin explained the purpose of donations. Lt-Gen Kyaw Win spoke words of thanks and greeted the wellwishers.
Afterwards, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspected the display of special projects being implemented under the State Peace and Development Council by commands, ministries and Yangon City Development Committee in the nation building endeavours booth of the exhibition and gave necessary instructions. Then, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and party proceeded to the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road and inspected the prize winning colour photos, sculptures, plaster sculptures, paintings, essays, poems and marching songs and entries of the competitions to be exhibited at the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Literary and Arts Exhibition and gave necessary instructions.
Discipline Enforcement Committee for Maha Thingyan Festival holds coordination meeting
Yangon, 21 March - The Discipline Enforcement Committee for 1364 ME Myanmar Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival held a coordination meeting at the meeting hall of Yangon Command at 8 am today, attended by Chairman of Discipline Enforcement Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe. Speaking on the occasion, the commander said Myanmar Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival will be held in accord with Myanmar traditional culture and action is to be taken against who break the discipline and laws.
Then, those present took part in the discussions. The commander gave necessary instructions.
Measures for upgrading of roads in Yangon coordinated
Yangon, 21 March — The work coordination meeting on second phase for upgrading of Strand Road and Kaba Aye Pagoda Road to six-lane facilities, part of upgrading of Yangon City, took place at the meeting hall of Yangon Command this morning, with an address by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.
In his address, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe said that projects were being implemented for upgrading of Yangon City to an international level city. He stressed the need for the ministry of PBANRDA and respective departments to provide assistance in implementing the tasks. He then gave instructions on timely completion of the tasks.
Officials reported on progress of work, future tasks and requirements. Then, the commander gave instructions on collective efforts to be made by respective ministries and YCDC for ensuring timely completion of the project, and attended to the needs.
Staff Training Course for engineers of Public Works ends
Yangon, 21 March — Staff Training Course No 2 for Junior Civil Engineer (Grade-2) of Public Works concluded at the Training Centre of the Ministry of Construction this morning. Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun gave a speech.
Courses being conducted for media to become dynamic and efficient
Yangon, 21 March — Public Relations Proficiency Course No 1/2002 for officers concluded at the training hall of the News and Periodicals Enterprise here this morning, with an address by Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan.
The course was sponsored by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said all the countries and peoples of the world are now under the domination of media that is using advanced techniques. As the developed countries are applying advanced techniques for the media business, the Ministry of Information is also making preparations within the policy framework for the media of Myanmar to penetrate the world. Courses are being conducted for the nation’s media to become dynamic and efficient. The trainees will have to energetically carry out the public relations task. He then presented certificates to trainees through their leader, and gifts to instructors through Director-General of the Fine Arts Department U Kyaw Win.
Deputy Minister for Information U Thein Sein also presented gifts to outstanding trainees.
Communication-related courses conclude
Yangon, 21 March — Five communication-related courses concluded at the Communications and Postal Training Centre here this morning.
Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw presented certificates to 72 trainees of PC for Office Application Advances Course, E-Mail Operating Course, Metallic Cable Testing and Fault Location Course, Fibre Transmission Course and Postman Refresher Course. He also gave a speech.
Paper reading session to mark Myanma Industrial Exhibition held
Yangon, 21 March — Paper reading session to mark the Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 organized by Work Committee for Holding Myanma Industrial Development Seminars and Myanma Industrial Exhibitions has been held at Inwa hall in Mandalay University from 19 March.
Second day of the paper reading session was held at the same venue yesterday morning. Director-General U Tin Hlaing of the Directorate of Industries of the Ministry of Industry-1 presided over the session. Resource persons Deputy Director Daw Kyin Hla of the Regional Industrial Coordination and Inspection Department of the Ministry of Industry-1, Tutor U Kyaw Soe Win of the Geography Department of Yangon University, Ministry of Education, and Director U Hla Tun and Deputy Director Daw Tin Myint Oo of Directorate of Industries, Ministry of Industry-1, submitted papers “Arrangements for Development of Industries and Private Industries”, “Study on Development of Industrial Zones in Myanmar from Geographic Point of View”, “ Industrial Development and Kinds of Industries and Machines” and “Industrial Development and Raw Material and Inputs” respectively. They then replied to queries raised by those present.At the first day of the paper reading session on 19 March morning, Vice-President U Htein Win of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Deputy Director-General U Sein Win of the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education presided over the session. Director U Zaw Myat Win of RICID, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win of Myanmar Industrial Manufacturers Association, Prof Dr Daw Mi Mi Kyi of the Geography Department of Yangon University, and Vice-Chairman of MIMA Dr Kyaw Htin submitted papers on industrial development. Officials of the departments and enterprises under respective ministries and industrial zones, students and those interested in development of industries attended the paper-reading session.
Sarpay Beikman opens Book Fair
Yangon, 21 March — Hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a book fair was opened in the compound of the Central Press at the corner of Theinbyu Road and Anawrahta Street here this morning.
Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan formally opened the fair that is being staged with the sponsorship of Sarpay Beikman of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise.
Chief Editor of Sarpay Beikman U Maung Hlaing read out the agenda, and Managing Director of PPE U Myint Thein gave a speech. Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Ministers U Thein Sein and Brig-Gen Aung Thein, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry, members of Myanmar Writers and Journalist Association, officials and bookworms visited the booth fair. On the opening day, the fair sold over 3,000 books, fetching K 592,575. The fair opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm till 30 March.
Invitation cards for Armed Forces Day Parade Forces Day Parade can be drawn
Yangon, 21 March — The lists of Mawgun Award Winner first-class and second-class title recipients who are invited to attend the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, are being published on March 22 issue of Myanma Alin Daily and the lists of Mawgun Award Winner third-class title recipients on March 22 issue of Kyemon Daily.
They can draw their invitation cards at Myanmar News Agency, No (212), Theinbyu Road, between 9.30 am and 4 pm from 24 to 26 March.
Myanma Industrial Exhibition teeming with visitors
Yangon, 21 March — The Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 continued for the second day at Hsin-byukankwin in Mandalay yesterday.
The exhibition was crowded with people. The exhibition comprises booths of ministries and industrial zones and private industrialists’ booths. At the central booth, Head of State Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe’s guidance to industrialists — production of high-quality products, development of private industries, alternative thought, and obtaining investments and technical know-how—are described. Photos of Patron of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 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, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt and members of the Panel of Patrons, members of the Leading Committee, Chairman of the Committee for Development of Industrial Development Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and committee members are displayed.
To mark the exhibition, starting 19 March, Ozi Dobat competitions and sports tournaments are being held. In evenings, the Ministry of Information entertained the people with newsreels and films, and artists, with songs.
Workshop for drafting law on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters concludes
Yangon, 21 March — Workshop for drafting law on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters organized by Office of the Attorney-General continued for the third day at the Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel on Signals Pagoda Road this morning.
Director U Kyaw Sein of the Office of the Attorney-General presided over the meeting. Points for drafting the law were discussed at the workshop. The concluding ceremony of the workshop was held in the afternoon. Deputy Attorneys-General Dr Tun Shin and U Myint Naing attended the ceremony. In the evening, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Tun Shin hosted a dinner to the participants in the workshop.
Representatives of Office of the Attorney-General, Supreme Court, Office of Chief of Military Intelligence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar Police Force, criminal Investigation Department, Anti-Drug Squad (Central), Bureau of Special Investigation, the Customs Department, the General Administration Department, Central Bank, the Prisons Department, the Immigration and National Registration Department and guests participated in the workshop.
Myanma Gems Emporium fetches over US$ 18.2m
Yangon, 21 March - Gem merchants bought 51 jade lots for US$ 3,059,638 through competitive bidding yesterday evening at 40th Myanma Gems Emporium. Altogether 78 jade lots were sold for US$ 5,915,120 yesterday.
Gem merchants bought 446 jade lots for US$ 14,227,093 up to 20 March.
Altogether 24 gem lots were sold for US$ 3,996,488 through tender and competitive bidding system from 9 am to 5 pm today. Up to 5 pm today, sales of jade and gems lots amounted to US$ 18,223,581. Sale of gem lots through competitive bidding system continues tomorrow.
Tube-wells sunk in Thazi
As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, tube-wells, undertaken by Thazi Township Development Affairs Committee, were opened on 10 March. If driven by machines, the two tube-wells can produce 1500 or 1800 gallons of water per hour. The donors of the tube-wells were the family of film director U Kyee Myint, wife Daw Myint Myint Yi and film star Academy Pan Phyu and U Mya Win and Daw Pyone Kyi.
Vipassana meditation practice in Toungoo
Shwe Min Win International Vipasana meditation , organized by Sayadaw U Pandita (Magway), will be opened in Taungoo from the 7th Waning of Taboung to 18th (1364 ME). Those interested may contact U Myint Shwe (Ph 054-21707) in Taungoo.
New primary school opened in Meiktila
A new primary school building in Pyawbwelay Village in Shwe Sithi Village-tract, Meiktila Township, donated by wellwisher Mr Yoshinori Enada, Japan, was opened on 1 March. The new building is 80 feet in length and 26 feet in width and cost over K 52 million.
Japanese wellwisher and township Education Officer Daw Marla Thin formally opened the building. Then, Mr Yoshinori Enada and Mr Minata Tokio presented US $ 400 for the school through township education officer.
Kintar Village in Pywebwe gets sufficient water supply
Kintar Village in Nyaung Nwe Village-tract, Pyawbwe Township, gets a new tube-well which can supply 1,400 gallons of water per hour and opened on 2 March.
Pyawbwe Township Development Affairs Committee sunk the tube-well at a cost of K 500,000 by wellwisher U Thein Tun (Tun Foundation Bank Ltd).
As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, the tube-well was put into service on 2 March.
Mezalegon-Kywezin road in Ingapu Township gravelled within a day
Hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, members of Ingapu Township Union Solidarity and Development Association and local people, on 7 March collectively carried out earth work and gravelled the Mezalegon-Kywezin village-to-village road in a day.
Similarly, gravel road linking Gyanli Village and Ngathayauk Village in NyaungU Township (Bagan) was inaugurated on 8 March hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.
Chairman of NyaungU District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo and Township Development Affairs Committee Executive Officer U Aye Myint formally opened the road. The newly opened gravel road is 4,625 feet long and 12 feet wide.
Shwe Mandalay News Journal to be published
The Shwe Mandalay News Journal, the first journal in Mandalay, was circulated on 17 March. Advisers of the weekly journal are Aung (Geo) and Mar J, Chief Editor Thaik Tun Thet, Editor-in-Charge Nyo Tun Lu, and Editors Soe Ba Daing and Thura Thet Tin.
The address is No 284 (A), 80th St, between 33rd St and 34th St, Mandalay and Tun Oo Book House will distribute it. The journal will mainly carry news from upper Myanmar including Mandalay. Manuscripts with accurate facts, data and photos, and articles on social affairs, economy, knowledge and ideology can be sent to the journal. Handsome amount of honorarium will be presented.
Cordless exchange opened in Shan State (South)
Naungtaya Township (Branch) got a post and telegraph office and a self-reliance cordless exchange with 100 lines on 1 March. Assistant Manager of Shan State Myanma Posts and Telecommunications U Sai Soe Myint and Pinlaung Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Myo Aung made speeches at the opening ceremony and formally opened the exchange. Naungtaya Village Peace and Development Council Chairman U Tun Shwe spoke words of thanks.
Religion
Ministry of Labour offers soon to members of Sangha
Yangon, 21 March — Families of the Ministry of Labour offered ‘soon’ and provisions to the pro-rector Sayadaw of the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon), member Sayadaws, and 450 student monks at Mogok Refectory on Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill in Mayangon Township this morning.
Pro-rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Uttama invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. Then, Minister for Labour U Tin Winn and wife, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Win Sein and wife presented offertories to Sayadaws.
The minister then handed over K 180, 000 donated by the families of the ministry to 450 members of the Sangha. Director-General of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin accepted the donation. Later, the congregation heard a sermon delivered by the pro-rector Sayadaw.
Sport
Myanmar trounces Malaysia 5-0 in ASEAN U-14 soccer tourney
Yangon, 21 March — The ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Youth Under-14 Soccer Championship 2003 Thailand continued in Bangkok, Thailand, this evening.
Selected Malaysian Youth team was thrashed 5-0 by Selected Myanmar Youth team in the Group (A).
