Myanmar News : The New Light of Myanmar

Yearly News Archive:   By Year 2005 YEAR 2004 YEAR 2003 YEAR 2002 YEAR 2001 YEAR 2000 YEAR 1999 YEAR 1998 YEAR

Established in 1914

Headlines

• State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Islamic Republic of Mauritania
• Thiri Yadana four-storey monastery of Thirimingala Mahasi Yeiktha opened

International Relations

• Secretary-1 receives Vice-Chairman of Supreme Court of PRC and party
• Director-General of Protocol Department signs in Book of Condolences for Late His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado (Norihito)
• YCDC Secretary receives Buddhist monk delegation of China  
• Chinese Supreme Court Vice-Chairman and party call on Home Affairs Minister, Chief Justice, Attorney-General 
• UMFCCI president receives Ambassador, guests 
• Myanmar Korea Timber Int'l Ltd meets
• PRC Supreme Court Vice-Chairman and delegation visit museums 
• Medicines donated to Eye Hospital

Regligion

• Sixth 47-member plenary meeting of the fifth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee held 
• Matho Thingan robes offered to Mandalay Maha Muni image

Region

• Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects Kunchaung Hydel Power Project, Sittoung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) construction project 
• Cooperative fair to be held
  
• Stake-driving ceremony for construction of MWVO cold storage factory held 
• Outstanding USDA members honoured
• Meeting on UDNR trainees' study tour of Yangon held

Education

• Courses for first year university and degree college students on 18 Dec 
• Courses for first year students of UDE to be conducted on 26 Dec  

SPOTLIGHT

• News
  

---

Headlines

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Yangon, 28 Nov - On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which falls on 28 November 2002, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Deve-lopment Council of the Union of Myanmar has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

Thiri Yadana four-storey monastery of Thirimingala Mahasi Yeiktha opened

Yangon, 27 Nov - A ceremony to open Thiri Yadana four-storey monastery of Thirimingala Mahasi Yeiktha was held at the Yeiktha on Myawadi Mingyi Street-1, 51 Ward, Dagon Myothit (North) Township, this morning, attended by State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt.

Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Chairman of the Yeiktha Board of Trustees U Kan Nyunt formally opened the monastery.

Then, the Secretary-1 and the congregation received the Five Precepts from member of SSMNC Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Tipitikadhara Dhamma Bhandha Garika Bhaddanta Sumingalalinkara (Ph.D). Members of the Sangha also recited partitas.

Later, the Secretary-1 and party presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Donations made were - K 5.5 million by U Sein Hla Win-Daw Phyu Phyu Khin family of Insein, K 3 million by U Ba Han-Daw Khin Aye family of Kyaukkon, K 2.5 million by Sayadaw Indaka, K 2.22 million by U Thein Htaik Oo-Daw Myo Myo Min family of Pazun-daung Township, K 2.2 million by U Myint Wai-Daw Aye Shin family of South Okkalapa Township, K 1 million by U Than Htay-Daw Leh Leh Win family of Dagon Myothit (North), K 1 million each by U Tin Myint-Daw Phant Ni family of Bhamo and U Mya Sein-Daw Win Myint of Dagon Myothit (South) K 700,000 by Ko Maung Ko-Ma Khin Pyone Mon and group, K 605,500 by U Thein Win-Daw Kyi Kyi Thaw family of Sangyoung, K 550,000 by U Han Nyunt-Daw Khin Aye Myint family of Thingangyun, K 500,000 by U Kyaw Yin-Daw Kyi Htay family of Kalewa, K 500,000 by U Aung Ko Ko-Daw Myint Myint Win family of Bahan Township, K 350,000 by U Aye Myint-Daw Tin Tin Mu of Dagon Myothit (North), K 340,000 by Capt Phyu Win-Daw Aye Aye Soe family of Thakayta, K 300,000 by U Win Swe-Dr Yi Yi Hla family of Golden Valley, K 220,000 by Daw Lone of Pabedan Township, K 200,000 by U Tin Win Aung-Daw Khin Yu family of North Dagon, K 200,000 by U Tin Oo-Daw Than Htay family of Kyaukmyaung, K 168,000 by Daw Kin Kein of Maw-lamyine, K 150,000 by U Aye Thein-Daw Mya Mya Thwe family of Thakayta, K 150,000 by U Kyaw Dway-Daw Kyi Win family of South Okkalapa, K 150,000 by Ko Babu-Ma Mi family of Phya-bon, K 150,000 by U Than Htun Wai-Daw Myint Sein family of Sagaing Division, K 140,000 by U San Ba-Daw Aye Tin family of Phaungpyin, K 120,000 by U Lay Myint-Daw Tin Hlaing family of South Okkalapa, K 100,000 by U Maung Maung Kyaw-Daw Cho Cho Myint family of Hlaing Township, K 100,000 by Daw Ma Ma Yi of Windemere, K 100,000 by Daw Sein Hla family of Phaungpyin and K 2,926,260 by wellwi-shers. Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt, the commander and the ministers accepted the donations. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon. After the ceremony, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt and party offered 'soon' to members of the Sangha.

International Relations

Secretary-1 receives Vice-Chairman of Supreme Court of PRC and party

Yangon, 27 Nov - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Court of the People's Republic of China Mr Jiang Xingchang and party at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here this evening.

Director-General of Protocol Department signs in Book of Condolences for Late His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado (Norihito)

Yangon, 27 Nov - Director-General of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thura U Aung Htet signed in the Book of Condolences at the Embassy of Japan at 9.30 am, in memory of the Late His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado (Norihito) of Japan.

YCDC Secretary receives Buddhist monk delegation of China

Yangon, 27 Nov - On behalf of the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee, Secretary Col Myint Aung received Abbot Neng Xiu of Tamein Monastery in Youngzu, the People's Republic of China, and Buddhist monk delegation at the mayor's office at Yangon City Hall yesterday morning.

  

Chinese Supreme Court Vice-Chairman and party call on Home Affairs Minister, Chief Justice, Attorney-General

Yangon, 27 Nov - Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing received Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Court of the People's Republic of China Mr Jiang Xingchang and party, who are currently here at the invitation of Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court U Than Oo, at his office at 2 pm today.

At 10 am, the visiting vice-chairman and party called on Chief Justice of the Supreme Court U Aung Toe at the office of the Supreme Court on Pansodan Street. During their meeting, they discussed judicial affairs between the two countries.

Then, the visiting delegation called on Attorney-General U Tha Tun at the Attorney-General's Office on Pansodan Street at noon today.

In the evening, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court U Than Oo hosted dinner in honour of the visiting delegation. Also present at the dinner were Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, judges of the Supreme Court and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Myanmar Mr Li Jinjun.

UMFCCI president receives Ambassador, guests

Yangon, 27 Nov - Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr Klans Peter Wild called on President of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win, Joint Secretary-2 Dr Maung Maung Lay and the executives at UMFCCI Head Office on Merchant Street yesterday morning. They cordially discussed matters on investment and trade.

The same morning, U Win Myint and officials received Deputy Director Mr Guan Qi of the Foreign Trade and Economical Cooperation Bureau of Qijing City, Yunan Province, China, and party and discussed the matters on investment, promotion of bilateral trade and export and import.

Myanmar Korea Timber Int'l Ltd meets

Yangon, 27 Nov - Myanmar Korea Timber Int'l Ltd held its 10th annual general meeting at International Business Centre today.

Managing Director of Myanma Timber Enterprise U Win Tun and Managing Director of Myanmar Korea Timber Int'l Ltd Mr Soon Pil Lim made speeches on the occasion. Director Mr H C Chang read out the director's report of Korea Myanmar Timber Int'l Ltd and those present approved the report of directors and financial statements. Then, Managing Director Mr Soon Pil Lim presented cash donation K 4.0 million towards the fund of greening of arid region to Ministry of Forestry and Director-General U Shwe Kyaw accepted the donation. Then, Mr Soon Pil Lim made a concluding speech and the meeting came to a close.

PRC Supreme Court Vice-Chairman and delegation visit museums

Yangon, 27 Nov - The visiting six-member delegation led by Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Court of the People's Republic of China Mr Jiang Xingchang visited the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning. The delegation offered flowers, lights and scented sticks to the pagoda and made cash donations for the trust fund towards the pagoda through the members of the board of trustees.

Next, the delegation proceeded to Myanmar Drugs Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Street and Kyundaw Street in Kamayut Township. Then the delegation also visited the National Museum on Pyay Road. Assistant Director of the Department of Cultural Institute U Htay Myint, Curator Daw Mi Mi Thet Nwe and officials conducted them round the museum.
 

Medicines donated to Eye Hospital

Yangon, 27 Nov - Medicines for eye treatment worth US$ 150,000 were donated by Dr Fujita of the Association of Japan Myanmar Mutual Cooperation and U Min Min Aung of Silver Wave Trading Ltd at the Health Department on Theinbyu Street here this morning. At the ceremony, U Min Min Aung presented the medicines to Dr Wan Maung.

Regligion

Sixth 47-member plenary meeting of the fifth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee held

Yangon, 27 Nov - The sixth 47-member plenary meeting of the fifth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee was held at Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin Hall at Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill here this morning.

On behalf of Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Myingyan Koehsaung Taik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Sadhammajotika Bhaddanta Sobhita, Vice-Chairman of the committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sadhammajotikadhaja Myitkyina Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silavamsa presided over the meeting while Joint-secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Tejaniya acted as master of ceremonies.

The master of ceremony announced the number of Sayadaws present and the meeting was valid. Vice-Chairman of Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sadhammajotikadhaja Myitkyina Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silavamsa read the Ovadakatha of Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Myingyan Koehsaung Taik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Ratha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Sadhammajotika Bhaddanta Sobhita.

In his supplication, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin expressed his pleasure to have an opportunity to pay respects to all 47 Sayadaws. Members of the Sangha led by disciple Ashin Maha Kathapa preserved the Teachings of Buddha. Sayadaws have been teaching Pariyatti literature since 2,500 years ago and preserving the Sasana by reciting Tri Pitakat at the Buddhist Synods and by meditating Vipassana. Successive kings of the Union of Myanmar and successive governments served the interest of the people under the correct leadership and donated provisions to members of the Sangha. Therefore the Sasana has flourished.

Concerted efforts are being made for national development in all sectors with greater momentum under the leadership of the State Peace and Development Council government. Flourishing of Buddhist Sasana is national concern.

Historic pagodas and religious buildings in various parts the country have been renovated and new religious buildings were built where there was no pagoda.

The border areas and hilly regions of Myanmar, where the national races reside, are difficult of access. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has opened missionary schools and monasteries in the border areas and hilly regions and assigned duties to missionary monks and lay persons for flourishing of the Sasana.

Success has been achieved in local missionary work as well as foreign missionary work. Foreign monk trainees have been attending Courses on Diploma in Buddhism, BA (Buddhism) and MA (Buddhism) being conducted at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township.

After opening the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Myanmar has been more actively, participating in the international Buddhist activities. Accordingly, Myanmar Buddhist delegation led by Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddnata Kumara attended the World Peace Summit of Religious Leaders held at the United Nations building in USA in August 2000. In addition, Myanmar Buddhist delegation led by Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Aungmyay Bonsan Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa attended the Second World Buddhist Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2000 with the sponsorship of the Japanese Buddhist Association. Arrangements have been made for Myanmar Buddhist delegation led by Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Thayet Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara to attend the Third World Buddhist Summit to be held in Cambodia in December 2002 with the sponsorship of the Japanese Buddhist Association.

In conclusion, it is encouraging for the future Sasana as the Government has been striving together with the people in harmony in local and foreign missionary work after seeking the Ovada of the Sayadaws and the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee also has been making sustained and relentless efforts for perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana.

Next, Joint Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sadhammajotikadhaja Visarindabhivamsa submitted the brief report on work done of the fifth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (second group).

Member Sayadaws reported on religious matters and the meeting adjourned for a while. The meeting resumed in the afternoon with the making decision on matters relating to cases on vinicchaya and religious and education matters. The first day session came to a close in the evening.

The second-day session of the fifth 47-member Plenary Meeting of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee continues tomorrow.

At the first-day session of preliminary meeting of the sixth 47-member Plenary Meeting of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee held on 24 November, wellwishers offered 'soon' to the Sayadaws at the meeting in memory of the Lashio Sayadaw who passed away last month; at the second-day session on 25 November, Daw Kyi Kyi Win and family of No 27, Insein Road, Ward-9, Hline Township; at the third-day session on 26 November, the Sayadaw of Kanmyint Kyaungtaik, No 10, Thirimingalar Street in Sangyoung Township and lay persons; and at the first-day session of the sixth 47-member Plenary Meeting of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee today, Chairman of Hill Region Buddhist Missionary Group Agga Maha Sirisudhamma Mani Jotadhara Annawa U Than Aung.

Matho Thingan robes offered to Mandalay Maha Muni image

Yangon, 27 Nov - The 13th Matho Thingan Robes Weaving Ceremony was held in the precinct of Maha Muni Pagoda in Mandalay at 5.30 am on 19 November, attended by Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint. Matho Thingan robes were handed over to the commander. Then, the Sayadaw, the commander, officials and members of Wut Associations conveyed the robes round the image clockwise. After the commander and officials had offered the Matho Thingan robes to the image, the ceremony came to a close.

Region

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects Kunchaung Hydel Power Project, Sittoung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) construction project

Yangon, 27 Nov - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, inspected the development of Taungoo and Ottwin by car on 24 November.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party arrived at Kunchaung Hydel Power Project, about nine miles south-west of Phyu. Assistant Director U Maw Tha Htwe reported on location of the project, facts about the project, future plans and progress of work.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on safety of the project site, minizing loss and wastage and timely completion of the project in accord with the set standards. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected earth work. When completed, Kunchaung Hydel Power Project will supply power to the country; to prevent Sittoung valley from floods and irrigate crops in the region. It is a rock-filled dam with earth core. It is 990 feet long and 240 feet high. It can hold 1,190,000 acre-feet of water at maximum. Spillway and conduit will be of reinforced concrete type. It will have the capacity to generate 60-megawatt of electricity annually. The project started in January 2001 and will be completed in December 2005.

They inspected Sittoung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) Project in Shwekyin Township, Bago Division. At the briefing hall, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than heard a report on progress in implementing the project. Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min gave supplementary report.

Cooperative fair to be held

Yangon, 27 Nov - Meeting of the committee for holding the cooperative products exhibition and trade fair was held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Cooperatives on Bogyoke Aung San Road here this afternoon. Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe addressed the meeting.

Cooperative products exhibition and trade fair will be held at the Cooperative Commercial Centre (Saya San Plaza) from 7 to 13 January 2003. At the fair, cooperative products and products of state-run business organizations will be sold. Foreign and local companies will also sell consumer products, foodstuff, clothes, electronics, stationery, handicrafts, construction materials, farm machinery, fertilizers, furniture and others at reasonable prices.

Stake-driving ceremony for construction of MWVO cold storage factory held

Yangon, 27 Nov - The stake-driving ceremony for construction of the cold storage factory of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Headquarters) was held at the site for the construction of the factory in No 4 Industrial Zone in Shwepyitha this morning. It was attended by Secretary of the central organizing committee of MWVO Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung.

Outstanding USDA members honoured

Yangon, 27 Nov - The ceremony to honour the outstanding USDA members of Yangon Division Union Solidarity and Development Association was held at the hall of Yangon Division USDA at the corner of West Myinpyaingkwin Street and Saya San Road in Bahan Township this afternoon, attended by Yangon Division USDA Patron Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and USDA CEC member In-charge of Yangon Division Col Tin Hlaing.

First, Yangon Division USDA Patron Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe made a speech. Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Col Tin Hlaing presented gifts to those who passed the 1993 BEHS Examination with six distinctions, those who got positions ranging from one to ten in the whole Myanmar in the 2002 Matriculation Examination, those who won prizes at the Extempore Talks (Central Level) held in commemoration of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, the best trainees of the New Generation Maritime Course and the New Generation Aviation Course, outstanding members of Auxiliary Fire Brigade, those who won five gold medals and above in the Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, those who won prizes in the ASEAN Quiz and the XIV Asia Games and those who won first prizes in Seventh Shwekya Thingan Robes Weaving Contest of the Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon).

Afterwards, on behalf of the outstanding USDA members, Ma Ei Sanda Nyein who won the second prize in the whole Myanmar and the first in Yangon Division in the 2002 Matriculation Examination spoke words of thanks. Then, the ceremony came to a close.

Meeting on UDNR trainees' study tour of Yangon held

Yangon, 27 Nov - A coordination meeting of the management work group for study tour of the training course No 35 of University for Development of National Races was held this afternoon at Pyithu Hluttaw here and Chairman of the work group Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe made an address.

In his address he urged the members of the work group to make efforts to gain success of their duties as the trainees of the course No 35 will go on study tour of Yangon soon. Then, Secretary of the work group for arrangement Director-General of Civil Service Selection and Training Department U Hla Kyi reported on the matters on arrangement for tour and branches of work group set up and those present took part in the discussion sector-wise.

The chairmen and secretaries of the work groups for dinner and reception , accommodation, transport, health, information and entertainment reported on their future plans. The commander gave necessary instructions including organizing of two work groups.

Education

Courses for first year university and degree college students on 18 Dec

Yangon, 27 Nov - The first year courses for the students who were admitted to the universities and degree colleges under the Higher Education Department will start on 18 December 2002. The students who gained admission to the universities and colleges may register at respective universities and degree colleges beginning 11 December 2002. The list of the students who were admitted to the universities and colleges under the HED will be announced at the respective universities and degree colleges on 2 December 2002. Individual students will also be informed by letter.

Courses for first year students of UDE to be conducted on 26 Dec

Yangon, 27 Nov - The first year courses for the students who were admitted to the Universities of Distance Education under the Higher Education Department will start on 26 December 2002. The students who gained admission to the UDEs may register at Distance Education Department (Branches) of the respective universities and degree colleges beginning 26 December 2002.

The list of the students who were admitted to the UDEs under the HED will be announced at DED (Branches) of the respective universities and degree colleges on 23 December 2002. Individual students will also be informed by letter.

HOME

ARCHIVE