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ARCHIVES	Friday, 18 April 2008	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend ceremony to donate provisions to monasteries in PyinOoLwin Township

NAY PYI TAW, 17 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the ceremony to donate rice, edible oil and alms to monasteries in PyinOoLwin Township of Mandalay Division at Gandakuti Building of Maha Arnthtoo Kantha Hsutaungpyae Pagoda in the township this morning. Also present on the occasion were members of the Sangha from monasteries in PyinOoLwin Township, SPDC member General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC members Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Maj-Gen Khin Zaw and Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Mandalay Division PDC Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe, ministers, senior military officers, departmental heads of the SPDC Office and ministries, officials, nuns, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, social and religious organizations and guests.

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered ?soon', fruit, lights, flowers and water and paid homage to the Buddha image.

The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha PyinOoLwin Ponnyakari Khele Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Sumana administered the Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited Parittas. The Senior General and wife donated rice, edible oil and alms to the Sayadaw. SPDC member General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC members, senior military officers, the ministers and officials offered provisions to members of the Sangha. The family of the Senior General presented rice, edible oil, robes and alms to nuns through Presiding Nun Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Daw Pavarasingi of Zayan Nunnery. Member of Mandalay Division Sangha Nayaka Committee PyinOoLwin KanU Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

The ceremony ended with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu. Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party offered soon' to members of the Sangha and nuns at Gandakuti Building .

Afterwards, they released doves, pigeons, owls, sparrows and fish at National Kandawgyi Gardens . Likewise, members of USDA, Women's Affairs Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigades released fish into Kandawgyi Lake . The Senior General and party viewed beautifying tasks at the gardens by car. Today, being Myanmar New Year Day, the National Kandawgyi Gardens was packed with holiday-makers.

NAY PYI TAW, 17 April - Myanmar people performed meritorious deeds such as keeping Sabbath at pagodas, temples and monasteries, practising meditation, making donations and setting animals free on Myanmar New Year occasion in Nay Pyi Taw today.

Staff families of Khayay, Gangaw and Padauk staff quarters in Nay Pyi Taw performed meritorious deeds at Datusaya Datpaungsu Pagoda.

Similarly, pilgrims visited NanU Aung Pagoda, NanU Pagoda and Tadaingya Pagoda and donated cash today.

Likewise, pilgrims did meritorious deeds at Phayakoesu Pagoda and Lawkamarazein Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana.

Meritorious deeds were performed at Koekhangyi Hsutaungpyae Pagoda. Local people received the Nine Precepts from Ohntaw Pariyatti Sarthintaik Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tissa in Ywakauk Ward in Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana.

Koemokpyan Pagoda was packed with pilgrims in Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana Township . Members of the Sangha recited Paritta in respective streets of Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana Ward.

Commission for Holding Referendum meets sub-commissions in Shan State (North), Rakhine, Kayah and Kayin States , Taninthayi Division

NAY PYI TAW, 12 April - The Commission for Holding Referendum met with members of the sub-commissions of Shan State (North), Rakhine, Kayah and Kayin States and Taninthayi Division, district, township and ward and village-tracts at the respective states and divisions on 10 and 11 April.

At the city hall in Lashio on 11 April, the Commission for Holding Referendum held a meeting with members of the Shan State (North), District, Township, Ward and Village-tract Sub-commissions. Commission member U T Khun Myat delivered an address. Chairman of Shan State (North) Sub-commission U Maung Maung Aung reported on tasks being prepared for polling station and ballot boxes.

Commission mem-ber U T Khun Myat and party viewed the polling demonstration at the hall of No 5 Basic Education Middle School in Lashio.

A similar meeting was held at the city hall in Sittway on 11 April, with an address by Commission member U Thein Shwe Maung.

Chairman of Rakhine State Sub-commission U Ye Naing Aung reported on seeking the approval of the draft constitution and matters related to the Referendum Law and Rules, and replied to the queries raised by members of the District, Township, Ward and Village-tract Sub-commissions.

Commission mem-bers U Thein Shwe Maung and U Kyar Tun and party inspected the sample polling station and the demonstration of polling process.

At the city hall in Loikaw on 10 April, Commission member U Kyaw Din delivered an address at the meeting with members of Kayah State and other different sub-commissions. The Chairman of Kayah State Sub-commission reported on matters related to the referendum and replied to the questions raised by those present.

Commission mem-bers U Kyaw Din and U Kyaw Tun and party viewed the polling demonstration at Loikaw BEHS No 1.

On 11 April, the similar meeting was held at Zwegabin Hall in Hpa-an, attended by Commission member U Saw Ba Hlaing.

Chairman of Kayin State Sub-commission U Maung Maung reported on preparations for holding the referendum.

Commission mem-bers U Saw Ba Hlaing and U Lan Zone and party inspected the polling demonstration at Hpa-an BEHS No 1.

At the hall of Myeik BEHS No 1, the Commission for Holding Referendum met with members of the sub-commissions of Taninthayi Division, District, Township, Ward and Village-tracts on 10 April. Commission member U Maung Hla delivered a speech.

Commission mem-ber U Sai Yi Kyan and Chairman of Taninthayi Division Sub-commission U Than Win explained preparations for holding the referendum and replied to the queries raised by those present. Commission member U Maung Hla gave concluding remarks. Later, they viewed the demonstration on casting votes.

Since the second week of March 2008, the five books -?State Constitution Draft (2008)', ?Referendum Law', ?Referendum Rules', ?Manual for Referendum Holding Commission Polling Station Heads', and ?Work Guideline for Ward/Village-tract Sub-commissions' - have been distributed to related organizations.

The book ?State Constitution (Draft)' can be studied at the libraries of Township Information and Public Relations Departments across the nation, the libraries under the Ministry of Culture, libraries of universities, colleges and institutes, and copies are available now at the bookstalls of News and Periodicals Enterprise, Sarpay Beikman Book Centre, and private book shops.

YANGON , 17 April - Pilgrims performed meritorious deeds at famous pagodas such as Shwedagon, Botahtaung, Sule, Kaba Aye, Tooth Relic, Mahawizaya, Lawkachantha Abhaya-labamuni, Ngahtatgyi and Chaukhtatgyi pagodas on Myanmar New Year day.

Meritorious deeds were performed in the wards and townships across Yangon . Members of the Sangha went round the respective townships by car reciting Paritta. No 41 bus line provided free transport service for the passengers today.

Myanmar New Year Day ceremony in conjunction with the releasing of life such as fish, poultry and cattle was held at Shwedagon Pagada. Next, members of the Sangha recited Paritta and wellwishers donated alms to them. Pali University Nyaungdon Kyaungtaik Presiding Sayadaw preached a sermon and the congregation shared merits gained.

Afterwards, members of pagoda board of trustees and religious associations performed meritorious deeds by setting animals free. The Shwedagon pagoda was packed with pilgrims performing meritorious deeds.

Similarly, Sule, Botahtaung, Kaba Aye, Tooth Relic, Lawkachan-tha Abhayalabamuni, Shwe Phone Pwint, Koehtatgyi and Kyaikwaing were packed with pilgrims doing meritorious deeds.

NAY PYI TAW, 17 April - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi received Energy Minister of Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation Mr Chedyrov Boris and Russian Ambassador to Myanmar Dr Mikhail M Geladze and party at his office here on 8 April.

YANGON, 17 April - A ceremony to conclude the Taunggyi Maha Thingyan Festival for 1369 ME was held in conjunction with a prize presentation ceremony at Central Pandal at the corner of Bogyoke and Merchant Streets in Taunggyi yesterday, attended by Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Thaung Aye and wife, the deputy commander, heads of departments and their wives, State/District/Township level departmental personnel and their wives, members of the patron of judges, members of Yein troupes, decorated floats and local people.

The commander and wife, the deputy commander and wife, officials presented prizes to winners and entertainers. The commander also presented first prize to Loilem Maungme decorated float, second prize to Nweyokhlwa decorated float and third prize to Myitpha Zawgyi decorated float.

Next, the commander delivered an address and enjoyed the entertainment of Yein troupes. The ceremony came to an end by singing ?Mantaung Yeiknyo Mya Nandar? song in unison.

YANGON, 17 April - With the purpose of clearing all forms of danger to the public, Yangon City Development Committee held a ceremony to receive Parittas and pour Paritta water at the pandal of Yeku waterwork in Mayangon Township this evening.

Present on the occasion were Vice-Chairman Sayadaws Mandalay Division Mahaaungmyay Township Masoeyein Kyaungtaik Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Tajawsarabhivamsa and Yangon Division South Okkalapa Township Ngwekyaryan Pariyatti Sarthintaik Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Revata, Members of State Sagha Maha Nayaka Committee, members of the Sangha, YCDC Chairman Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and wife Daw Khin Hsan Nwe, Joint-Secretary U Kyaw Soe and members, heads of departments and their wives and staff families.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Yangon Division South Okkalapa Township Ngwekyaryan Pariyatti Sarthintaik Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Revata and members of the Sangha recited Parittas.

Members of the Sangha, the Mayor and party poured Paritta water into Gyobyu, Hlawga and Ngamoeyeik drinking water lakes.

NAY PYI TAW, 17 April - Maha Thingyan Gold Cup Golf Tournament to mark the 50th anniversary of PyinOoLwin Golf Club took place at PyinOoLwin golf course from 13 to 15 April.

A total of over 200 contestants from 30 teams participated in Gold, Silver and Bronze level events, women's division and men's senior division.

Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe teed off the ball to open the tournament on 13 April.

At Gold level team event, PyinOoLwin Golf Club (A) clinched the Gold Cup and Mandalay Golf Club (A) fetched second prize. At Silver level team event, Muse Golf Club stood first and Mandalay Golf Club, second. At Bronze level team event, PyinOoLwin Golf Club (A) secured first prize and PyinOoLwin Golf Club (C), second prize.

YANGON , 17 April - For renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Waynaya Thukha Yaychansin Association donated K 1 million and foreign exchanges to the pagoda board of trustees today (Myanmar New Year Day). The association has already contributed K 8.8 million to the Shwedagon Pagoda.

YANGON , 17 April - Hitaythi Group of Mahasi Meditation Centre organized the 41st New Year Charity Fair at the centre, here, this morning.

After speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Hitaythi Group U Kyaw opened the charity fair.

A total of 3,600 draw lots from 60 Padethabins worth over K 4.5 million were donated to members of the Sangha, nuns and lay persons