Lt-Gen Tin Aye attends consecration ceremony of Datpaungsu Pagoda in Hlinethaya Township

Yangon, 4 March — A ceremony to consecrate Datpaungsu Pagoda was held in conjunction with the merit-sharing ceremony for construction of Manoramma Sasana Beikman in the precinct of Maha Tezamuni Pagoda on Bawgawady Hill at Silver Sea Fisheries Industrial Zone in Hlinethaya Township this morning.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Magway Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kumara and member Sayadaws, Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, wellwisher of Htidaw (Umbrella) U Kyaw Nyunt, senior military officers, officials, local authorities and wellwishers.

First, the Chairman Sayadaw administered the Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited Parittas.

Lt-Gen Tin Aye presented documents related to Manoramma Sasana Beikman to the Chairman Sayadaw. Next, he donated robes and alms to the Sayadaw.

Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, members of the pagoda construction committee and wellwishers presented offertories to the Sayadaws.

Abbot of Thayagon Monastery of Hlinethaya Township Ganthavaçaka Pandita Bhaddanta Tejavamta delivered a sermon, and Lt-Gen Tin Aye and party shared merits gained.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Tin Aye accepted K 8.1 million donated by Myanmar Land & Development Ltd and other construction companies (Nay Pyi Taw); K 6 million by U Bo Ni of East Shan Yoma Co; K 5.6 million by U Thein Lwin-Daw Nyo Nyo of Nyo Nyo Store; K 5.3 million by Nilar Yoma Co; K 5 million each by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Private Ltd and Myanmar Brewery Ltd; K 4.5 million by the 9th Intake of DSA; and K 4 million each by Victory Co Ltd and Ayeyawady Group Co Ltd.

Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Col Tint Hsan of the local station and Chairman of the Construction Committee Col Myint Aung (Retd) accepted cash donations from wellwishers.

Today’s donations for the pagoda by 92 wellwishers totalled
K 202,452,398.

At the consecration ceremony, Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and wellwisher U Kyaw Nyunt offered Shwekyar robes, the emerald bowl and alms to Manoramma Bronze Buddha Image. Next, members of the Sangha consecrated Datpaungsu Pagoda. Later, Lt-Gen Tin Aye performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark successful completion of the ceremony. Afterwards, alms were offered to members of the Sangha at Manoramma Sasana Beikman.

Entertainment programmes at No 7 Transit Centre in Ywadaw

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 March—Under the arrangement of Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, Defence Services TV Production Unit (Myawady TV), No 1 Mobile Public Relations Unit, No 2 MPRU and No 3 MPRU yesterday evening presented the entertainment programmes at No 7 Transit Centre in Ywadaw where military columns which will participate in the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forced Day Parade.

Among the audience were Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forced Day Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Chairman of the Management Committee Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Brig-Gen Wai Lwin, Vice-Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Hla Shwe, Vice-Chief of Armed Forces Training Brig-Gen Zaw Win, Parade Commander Brig-Gen Myint Naung and column commanders and senior officers.

No 1, 2 and 3 Mobile Public Relations Units and Defence Services TV Production Unit (Myawady TV) presented musical concerts and Anyeint to Anawratha , Kyansittha ,Bayintnaung, Aungzeya, Hsinphyushin, Bandoola and Myawady columns.

Commanding officers, officers and Tatmadaw members watched the entertainment programmes happily.

Military Band Competition continues for final day

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 March — The 15th Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition to mark the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day 2007 continued for the final day at the parade ground, here, this morning.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Military Band Competition Vice-Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Hla Shwe and members, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, members of the panel of judges and Tatmadawmen.

Military bands representing No 2 company of North-East Command, Central Command, No 1 company of Central Command, No 2 company of Coastal Region Command and No 3 company of Western Command participated in the competition.

Education Minister visits universities

Yangon, 4 March—Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein, accompanied by officials, this morning visited Yangon West University where he heard a report by Pro-rector U Thein Win on academic and management matters and research work. The minister stressed the need for cooperation among universities and among subject-wise departments in conducting research and for greening tasks. Next, he viewed students conducting experiments in physics and chemistry practical rooms.

The minister and party proceeded to Dagon University and inspected lecture halls for Zoology and Botany students. He next met the pro-rector and professors. The minister and party also visited Yangon Institute of Education and gave instructions on academic and management matters.

After inspecting laboratory equipment at Diamond Jubilee Hall, the minister and party visited Yangon University of Distance Education, met the pro-rector and professors, and stressed the need for effective use of e-Education learning centres and teaching aids.

Golden Lion Wire Co Ltd opens new factory

Yangon, 4 March— Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win unveiled the signboard of the new factory of Golden Lion Wire Co Ltd at No 3 Industrial Zone in Hlinethaya Township today.

Also present were Minister for Electric Power No 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Deputy Chief Justice U Soe Thein, depart-mental officials and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the factory.

Minister Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, the deputy chief justice, Chairman U Cho Aye and Vice-Chairman U Tin Tun of the Board of Directors and Managing Director U Zaw Myo Lin formally opened the new factory.

Afterwards, U Zaw Myo Lin explained facts about the factory and the ceremony ended. After the ceremony, the Commander and the Minister visited the factory.

Measures taken as to death of fowls and birds in townships of Yangon Division

Yangon, 4 March—The Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department is taking measures as to the death of fowls and birds in townships of Yangon Division.

The death of four crows and one quail was found in Insein Township on 4-3-2007, six crows and one pigeon in Mayangon Township on 4-3-2007, three crows in Botahtaung Township on 4-3-2007, one crow and one pigeon in Hline Township on 4-3-2007, one crow in Dagon Myothit (South) on 4-3-2007, one sparrow in South Okkalapa Township on 4-3-2007, one crow in Thanlyin Township on 4-3-2007, one crow in Hlinethaya Township on 4-3-2007, one crow in Kamayut Township on 4-3-2007 and four pigeons in Bahna Township on 4-3-2007. Regarding this, bird flu was not detected.

The death of two domestic fowls was found in Hmawby Township on 4-3-2007.

Altogether 26 crows, quail, pigeons and sparrow were found dead in the townships of Yangon Division on 4-3-2007. Of them, 15 were sent to the laboratory and bird flu was not detected. The remaining 11 were buried as they had decomposed.

The two dead domestic chickens in Hmawby Township were buried as they were decomposed. No other chickens and ducks were dead in the township.

The LBVD came to the conclusion that the death of fowls and birds in Yangon Division was not due to bird flu.

The department has requested the public including breeders to control the moving of crows and sparrows which can be the carriers of bird flu, to avoid eating, selling and undisciplined dumping of dead fowls and birds and to pay serious attention to bio-security at poultry farms.

Commander, Minister inspect fuel-substitute factory

Yangon, 4 March— Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win and Minister for Electric Power No 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint inspected a fuel-substitute factory in Hlinethaya industrial zone this afternoon.

Next, the commander and the minister looked into paddy husk-fired engines and gave instructions.

A total of 519 15KV-100 KV generators were produced in 1995.

These generators are being used widely in water pumping projects, iced factory, saw mill and watercraft.

Minister inspects construction tasks of Hotel Sofitel

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 March — Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing together with officials inspected construction tasks of Hotel Sofitel of the LP Holding Co Ltd in Yangon on 28 February and urged officials to expedite the tasks.

On his tour, Minister Maj-Gen Soe Naing also inspected Beverages section (Lower Myanmar) and Yangon branches.

The minister met with the trainees who were attending the tourism management course No 7 at the Tourism Training School, and called for development of the tourism industry.

A total of 108 trainees are attending the seven-week course.

Functions of posts and telecommunications inspected

Yangon, 4 March — Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw inspected the knowledge based website and the information based website at Myanmar Info-Tech in Hline Township on 2 March. The minister also inspected functions of international express mail service and international parcel service on Pyay Road.

At the meeting hall, the minister heard reports on extension of auto-telephone cables being undertaken by the chief engineer, and
instructed officials to systematically carry out improvement of the functions of the telephone systems in Yangon.

Yesterday afternoon, the minister inspected installation of communication devices at the annexe to the Airport Building of Yangon International Airport.

Energy Ministry to open new CNG stations

Yangon, 4 March — Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi accompanied by officials inspected CNG filling station No 019 (Sawbwagyigon), filling station No 002 (Insein) and filling station 016 (Kyimyindine) here today.

General Manager U Thein Htay reported to the minister on filling of vehicles with CNG and fitting CNG cylinders. The minister called for fire prevention.

Twenty CNG stations are open daily. The Ministry of Energy is conducting the construction tasks to open more CNG filling stations in Yangon area.

The ministry is scheduled to open new CNG filling stations to fulfil CNG demand of the CNG vehicles.

Teachers honoured at Saytana teaching class

Yangon, 4 March — A ceremony to honour teachers at Saytana teaching classes and present teaching aids, organized by Yangon Command’s Maternal and Child Welfare Association this morning, with an address by Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win.

First, Chairperson of Yangon Division MCWSC Daw Mar Mar Wai explained the purpose of the ceremony.

Next, Chairperson of Yangon Division MCWSC Daw Mar Mar Wai accepted teaching aides donated by donor U Soe Thein and Thiri Thudhama Theingi Daw Khin Cho Ohn (Dana Aung Company).

Afterwards, Chairperson of Yangon Division MCWSC Daw Mar Mar Wai presented souvenirs to teachers. Next, Maung Zin Aung spoke words of thanks.

Prizes presented to winners in ASEAN Logo Contest at National Level

Yangon, 4 March — A ceremony to present prizes to the winners in the ASEAN Logo Contest (National Level) to mark the 40th Anniversary ASEAN Founding Day which falls on 8 August 2007 was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street, here, this morning.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu delivered an address. He said that Brunei Darussalam won the award in the ASEAN Logo Contest at ASEAN regional level. He added that Myanmar is planning to celebrate activities for the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN which falls on 8 August as well as for the 10th Anniversary of Myanmar’s entry into ASEAN which is on 23 July.

Next, the minister presented prizes to the winners.

First prize winner Maung Thuta Win expressed gratitude. The invitees viewed the prize winning logo designs at the national level and the regional level.

Fire breaks out in Mandalay

Yangon, 4 March — The house No 185 of U Kyi Maung on 86th Street between 23rd and 24th Streets in Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay, was on fire due to negligence at 7 am today.

A total of 37 fire engines rushed to the scene and managed to put out the fire. At about 7.30 am, the fire was put under control. The fire destroyed 10 houses.

Taze Association (Yangon) holds annual meeting

Yangon, 4 March — Taze Association (Yangon) held the 45th annual meeting the Association and paid homage to the Sayadaw who was conferred Maha Ganthavaçaka Pandita title by the State, at the office of the association on 3rd Street in Bahan Township here today.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Secretary Sayadaw of Bahan Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Saddamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vayama.

Patron of the Association U Tun Myaing read out the biography of title holder Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ñanobhasalankara of Phayathonsu Monastery in Thingangyun Township.

President U Win Myint of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and wellwishers donated provisions to the Sayadaw.

U Win Myint of UMFCCI presented gifts to Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara title winner U Chit Hmwe, Vice -Chairman of the association.

And then, they shared merits gained. Afterwards, the annual meeting of the association followed, and the President of UMFCCI delivered an address. Responsible personnel of the association awarded the outstanding persons.