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Headlines 

• Vice-Senior General Maung Aye attends opening of multimedia teaching centre of No 2 BEHS in Mandala

International Relations

• Secretary-1 receives Sri Lankan Minister of Buddha Sasana, Justice, Law, Reform and National IntegrationMinister receives guests 
• Sri Lanka Minister and party pay homage to pagodas in Mandalay, Bagan

Region

• Kwanmoedain model village in Kayan township gets two-storey school building
• Dry Day inspections made
• Coord Meeting of Myanma Thaing Training School held
• Commerce Minister inspects 100-ton rice mill in Hlegu Township
• Transport Minister inspects construction of Monywa, Pakokku airports
• Roads and bridge construction tasks in Bago inspected
• Commerce Minister inspects 100-ton rice mill in Hlegu Township
• Industry-1 Minister inspects Bicycle Factory
• Railways and bridge inspected
  

Religion

• Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination held
• Commander attends gold plates donation ceremony of Cetana Sambhara wut association to Shwedagon Pagoda  

  Education

• School Family Day Exhibition continues

• News

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Headlines 

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye attends opening of multimedia teaching centre of No 2 BEHS in Mandalay

Yangon, 29 Dec - 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, left here by Tatmadaw flight this morning and arrived at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township, Mandalay Division at 9 am. 

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party went to No 2 Basic Education High School (formerly Central National High School) in Chanayethazan Township .

Students, band troupe, aerobic troupe, pom pom dance troupe and PT troupe welcomed Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party singing the song "Myanma School" and performing dances.

The opening of multimedia teaching centre was held at the school. Headmaster U Tin Soe and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Aung Thein formally opened the centre.

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint formally unveiled the signboard of the centre.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party visited art studio and observed the drawing pictures by the students and paintings.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party observed the documentary photos of old students and opening of the school buildings.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye visited domestic science room and girl students presented a gold embroidery portraying the building of No 2 BEHS to him. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party inspected computer skill room, printed media room, audio visual room, language lab, computer aided instruction room and audio room and observed practice of the students and their skills.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party visited the prayer hall at the top of the school building. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye presented K 1 million for education fund of the school to Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Aung Thein. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye signed in the visitors' book.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party posed for documentary photos together with the headmaster, teachers and chairman of School Board of Trustees and students. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye cordially greeted those present and the students.

International Relations

Secretary-1 receives Sri Lankan Minister of Buddha Sasana, Justice, Law, Reform and National Integration

Yangon, 29 Dec - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received Minister of Buddha Sasana, Justice, Law, Reform and National Integration Mr WJM Lokubandara of Sri Lanka at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha, here, at 5.30 pm today. The Sri Lankan Minister was accompanied by Sri Lankan Ambassador Mr Ubhayasekara Mapa.

 Minister receives guests

Yangon, 29 Dec - Visiting Sri Lankan Minister of Buddha Sasana, Justice, Law, Reform and National Integration Mr WJM Lokubandara called on Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing at the latter's office at 3 pm today.

Sri Lanka Minister and party pay homage to pagodas in Mandalay, Bagan

Yangon, 29 Dec - Visiting Sri Lanka Minister of Buddha Sasana, Justice, Law Reform and National Integration Mr W J M Lokubandara and party, together with Director-General of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U San Lwin, visited and paid homage to Mahamuni Buddha Image in Mandalay on 26 December. The minister made cash donation and signed in the visitors' book.

Next, the visiting minister and party went to Mahaganthayon monastery in Amarapura where they paid homage to Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kondala Bhivamsa and Sayadaws. Then, the minister and party visited Myanansankyaw Golden Palace and Mandalay Hill and paid homage to Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Teikka at Taungsalin monastery in Chanayethazan Township.

On 27 December the visiting minister and party paid obeisance to SoonU Ponnyashin Pagoda and made cash donations. They also paid visits to Uhminthonehse Pagoda, Sitagu International Buddhist University and Kaunghmudaw Pagoda. The visiting minister and party yesterday visited Shwesigon Pagoda, Arnanda Pagoda, and other pagodas and Bagan Archaeological Museum. They also studied the arts of lacquer ware.

Region

Kwanmoedain model village in Kayan township gets two-storey school building

Yangon, 29 Dec - Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, left here this morning and arrived at Kwanmoedain model village in Kayan township in the afternoon.

A ceremony to share merits for construction of two-storey school building was held at Sasana Jotika Dhammayon in Kwanmoedain model village.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw Razadhamma-bhivamsa. Members of the Sangha recited the Parittas. The Secretary-1 and party presented offertories to the members of the Sangha.

The Secretary-1 accepted K 500,000 each donated by U Khin Maung Swe-Daw Htay Htay Myint of Mandalay and U Khin Maung Soe-Daw Win Sanda. Next, Sayadaw Razadhammabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

A ceremony to open the two-storey school building was held at the school. Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Aye and Headmistress Daw Aye Aye Myint formally opened the building. The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone plaque of the building. The Secretary-1 and party inspected electronic media (video), study room, art studio and domestic science room. A ceremony to hand over the building to the Ministry of Education was held at the school. The Secretary-1 and party watched the skill demonstration of the students.

Then, the commander re- ported to the Secretary-1 on implementation of the project for 2002-2003 at the end of November 2002 and development tasks in Yangon Division.

Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Sein Hlaing reported on cultivation target of monsoon and summer paddy and productions, target of cold season crops cultivation and distribution of seeds for summer paddy and cold season crops and fertilizers. Member of the School Board of Trustees U Myint Oo explained the purpose of building the two-storey school building.

Then, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt presented school furniture, 168 dozens of exercise books and 56 dozens of pencils to Headmistress Daw Aye Aye Myint. Afterwards, the Secretary-1, the commander and the deputy minister accepted K 2,554,415 for the school donated by wellwishers.

Next, Secretary of SBT U Myint Swe handed over documents related to the school to Director-General U Tin Win of No 3 BED. Headmistress Daw Aye Aye Myint spoke words of thanks. Then, the Secretary-1 delivered a speech.

He said a magnificent two-storey building has emerged in Kwanmoedain model village with the contribution of the wellwishers from the village and Mandalay under the leadership of the government and Kwanmoedain model village-born Nayaka Sayadaw of Masoeyein Taikthit in Mandalay Bhaddanta Keserabhivamsa. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Razadhammabhivamsa donated a school building to affiliated Basic Education Middle School in the village. Numerous new magnificent school buildings were emerged with the participation of the government and wellwishers, he said.

Emergence of modern equipment-installed school buildings contributes much towards the peaceful pursuit of education for students and promotion of the task for education in rural region, one of the five rural development tasks being implemented by the government. The government in cooperation with the people is implementing the task to achieve equal development after narrowing the gap of education, health, economic and social sectors between urban and rural regions, he said.

He said the government formed management boards at central, state and division, district and township levels. Township level officials and departments are to make efforts for development of education, health, social and economic sectors in the respective regions. He also said township officials are to strive for realization of the objectives of the State and for speedy operation of management machinery under the correct leadership.

The Secretary-1 spoke of the need for the officials to deal with the rural people and urged them to fulfil the requirements of the people as far as possible.

 He also said they are to report on the matters that they are unable to undertake to the superior level in time. With the proper and dynamic management, equal development will be achieved after narrowing the gap between urban and rural regions, he said. The Secretary-1 urged the officials and heads of departments to participate in the five rural development tasks for realization of the objectives of the State in cooperation with the people under their correct leadership and management.

The 82X30 feet tow storey building was constructed at a cost of K 16 million K 11 million contributed by the people and K 5 million by the government. The Secretary-1 and party paid respects to Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita of Pali Tekkatho Kainggon Kyaungtaik in Khayan Township and presented offertories to the Sayadaw.

The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the evening.

Dry Day inspections made

Yangon, 29 Dec - Chairman of the Dry Day Supervisory Committee Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen Min Thein and committee member Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, in two groups, supervised the inspection of Dry Day Supervisory Committee members in Yangon this morning.

A group comprising members of Defence Services Provost Unit and Myanmar Police Force inspected the Dry Day Pass, driver licence, wheel tax of the Tatmadaw and other departmental vehicles and drivers' wearing of departmental uniforms and observance of traffic rules today from 6 am to 6 pm.

Coord Meeting of Myanma Thaing Training School held

Yangon, 29 Dec - A Coordination meeting of Myanma traditional martial art experts held at Myanma Thaing Training School in Dagon Myothit (North) concluded this morning, attended by patron of the training school Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win.

After Patron Maj-Gen Kyaw Win had made an opening speech, martial art experts discussed and demonstrated the martial arts of Rakhine and Chin nationals. Then, Patron Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and those present posed for documentary photos. The meeting was held at the training school from 26 to 29 December to preserve and promote the traditional martial arts.

Commerce Minister inspects 100-ton rice mill in Hlegu Township

Yangon, 29 Dec - Accompanied by Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading Managing Director U Min Hla Aung and officials, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone this morning arrived at No 222 100-ton rice mill of MAPT in Hlegu Township where the mill manager, the general manager and officials reported on milling and storage of paddy.

The minister then gave instructions on purchase of paddy as targeted and milling of rice to meet the set standard. Next, the minister inspected milling of rice and storage of rice milled. The minister then inspected No 1 Purchasing Depot in Kyungalay Village, the fish breeding pond for staff welfare and storage of paddy.

The minister proceeded to Myaseinyaung all-round agriculture and livestock breeding camp of the Ministry of Commerce where he inspected raising of fish, chickens, pigs, goats, cows and ducks and cultivation of paddy.

Transport Minister inspects construction of Monywa, Pakokku airports

Yangon, 29 Dec - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, arrived at the construction site of Monywa Airport Project on 27 December afternoon.

At the briefing hall, Superintending Engineer U Tin Win of Shwe Thanlwin Highway Co reported to the Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing and the minister on implementation of the airport construction project. Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Soe Myint, Managing Director of Shwe Thanlwin Highway Co U Zaw Win Tun and officials of DCA reported on availability of gravel.

The minister attended to their needs. Then, the commander and the minister inspected construction of the runway of the airport with the use of heavy machinery. The original runway of the airport was 5,000 feet long and 100 feet wide and 8 inches high. Upon completion of the project, the runway will be 8,500 feet long and 100 feet wide. On 28 December, the minister proceeded to the construction site of Pakokku Airport Project. Director-General U Win Maung and officials of Hong Pang Construction Co Ltd reported on progress of work, use of heavy machinery and water and power supply.

Then, the minister inspected construction of the airport. In the first phase, the 8,500 feet long, 100 feet wide and 2 feet high runway is being built at Pakokku Airport.

Roads and bridge construction tasks in Bago inspected

Yangon, 29 Dec - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with officials inspected roadworks being carried out during the open season on No 2 Highway, Yangon-Bago section (6) road and Nyaunglaybin-Madauk Road by car this morning.

The minister and party then went to the site of construction of Sittaung Bridge (Shwekyin-Madauk) where the bridge construction in charge Senior Engineer U Win Aung conducted them round the site.

Commerce Minister inspects 100-ton rice mill in Hlegu Township

Yangon, 29 Dec - Accompanied by Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading Managing Director U Min Hla Aung and officials, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone this morning arrived at No 222 100-ton rice mill of MAPT in Hlegu Township where the mill manager, the general manager and officials reported on milling and storage of paddy.

The minister then gave instructions on purchase of paddy as targeted and milling of rice to meet the set standard. Next, the minister inspected milling of rice and storage of rice milled. The minister then inspected No 1 Purchasing Depot in Kyungalay Village, the fish breeding pond for staff welfare and storage of paddy.

The minister proceeded to Myaseinyaung all-round agriculture and livestock breeding camp of the Ministry of Commerce where he inspected raising of fish, chickens, pigs, goats, cows and ducks and cultivation of paddy.

Industry-1 Minister inspects Bicycle Factory

Yangon, 29 Dec - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung arrived at the Bicycle Factory of the Myanma General and Maintenance Industries in Mingala Taungnyunt Township this afternoon and inspected the bicycles manufactured by the factory. There, he also saw over the production process and gave instructions on improvement of spare parts production to substitute imports. Then, the minister discussed the needs of the factory with the officials concerned.

Railways and bridge inspected

Yangon, 29 Dec - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung saw over the railways from Yangon Station to Sittoung Bridge by EMC yesterday and gave instructions to official on maintenance works and becoming neat and tidy stations. The minister also inspected the Sittoung Bridge and gave necessary instructions.

Religion

Pahtamapyan, Dhammacariya, Nikaya, Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examinations reflect efforts of Pariyatti Sarthintaiks nationwide
Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination held

Yangon, 29 Dec - The opening ceremony of the 55th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination was held at the Wizayamingala Dhammathabin on Thirimingala Kaba Aye Hill here this morning, and Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin supplicated on religious matters.

The ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa while Staff Officer of RAD U Tun Naing acted as master of ceremonies.

Chairman of Tipitaka-dhara Selection Ovadacariya Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Mawlamyine Webyan Sarthintaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa invested the congregation with the Five Precepts and members of the Sangha recited parittas.

Then, Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara read the Ovadakatha of Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita. The Sayadaw said the Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination has been held for 55 times since 1300 ME.

The original objectives of the examination are to turn out talented and brilliant persons and members of the Sangha in flourishing period of Buddha Sasana, to support Pariyatti Sasana at highest level and to turn out brilliant persons who can recite Pitaka orally. Only six candidates took the first Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination but no one passed it. Five candidates sat for the second examination and one Visittha Vinayadhara title recipient turned out. Nineteen candidates out of 29 took the 10th examination. In 1343 ME, the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee announced that the candidates can recite the five treatises of Vinaya by two parts.

Therefore the number of the candidates who are interested in learning by heart has increased gradually. According to the verse of step-mother Gotami those who are innocent have opportunity to hear and learn the noble teachings of Lord Buddha. They are powerful people with good deed. The candidates who learn the teachings of Buddha by heart are talented and brilliant members of the Sangha according to the first original objectives of the examination.

The Sayadaw urged the candidates not only to learn Vinaya and Abhidhamma but also practise them. By doing so, they will gain better results, the Sayadaw said. The government and wellwishers who donate provisions to members of the Sangha taking the Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination are powerful persons. Perpetuation of the Sasana will be forever with the support of the wellwishers, the Sayadaw added. Supplicating on religious affairs, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe said that Theravada Buddha Sasana has been flourishing in the Union of Myanmar, adding that senior Sayadaws at different eras have been lecturing on Pitaka Treatise and trainee monks have been learning the treatise so as to purify, propagate and perpetuate the Theravada Buddha teachings, thus contributing to constant flourishing of the Pariyatti Sasana. The State Pariyatti Sasana University was the centres of learning the high level Pariyatti treatise.

Pahtamapyan Examination, Dhammacariya Examination, Nikaya Examination and Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination being conducted by the Government reflected the efforts of Pariyatti Sarthintaiks the length and breadth of the nation. Out of Pariyatti Examinations, Tipitakadhara Tipitaka-kovida Selection Examination could be attributed to the main Sasana examination since the candidates have to appear for both writing and oral tests on Tripitaka and Five Nikaya Desana delivered by Buddha, according to the teachings of Sayadaws, he said.

Tipitakadhara Tipitaka-kovida Selection Examination has entered its 54th Anniversary and there were 155 monks who had passed the examination both oral and writing tests in Tripitaka, Dwipitaka, Ekapitaka and Nikaya and 604 monks who had passed the examination in oral test in those subjects. There are 154 candidate monks who are to sit for the oral test of the 55th Tripitaka Tipitakakovida Selection Examination and 105 candidate monks who are to appear for the written test of the examination.

In conclusion, the commander wished the candidate monks who are going to sit for the 55th Tipitaka Tipitakakovida Selection Examination which is the main Sasana examination mentally and physically happy and be paid respects at the ceremony to honour the 55th Tipitaka Tipitakakovida Selection Examination. Then, Minister U Aung Khin supplicated on religious matters. He said that there were Patiyatti Sasana, Patipatti Sasana and Pativeda Sasana in Buddha Sasana left by Lord Buddha. Pariyatti Sasana which is the main source of teachings of treatise plays a key role in the purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana.

The gratitude of the members of the Sangha who had preserved and safeguarded the purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha teachings, the backbone of Buddha Sasana administered by Buddha, is very huge. If there is weakness in safeguarding Pariyatti Sasana, Patipatti Sasana will fade away. In Myanmar, there are Theravada Buddha Sasana and members of the Sangha with a sense of duty, Pariyatti Sasana has strongly come in existence at different eras. State Pariyatti Sasana Universities in Yangon and Mandalay and Pariyatti Sarthintaiks in States and Divisions reflect the strong Pariyatti Sasana. The Tipitaka Tipitakakovida Selection Examination is the most difficult one since mental and physical strength will have to be used to the most possible degree.

The Tipitaka Tipitaka-kovida Selection Examination which emerged together with Myanmar Independence in 1948 has entered its the 55th anniversary, he said and wished the candidate monks to easily appear for the examination and become those who passed the Tripitaka, Dwipitaka and Ekapitaka tests and could shoulder the duty of Sasana. Then, Staff Officer of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department U San Thin Hlaing invited the candidates respectfully.

Next, the commander, the minister, the deputy minister and officials presented robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. The ceremony ended with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanan ‚iram Titthatu. After the ceremony, in memory of U Kyin Kok-Daw Phwa Kyi and U Mon Tit-Daw Myint Sein and U Myint Wai, the family of U Kyin Kok-Daw Phwa Kyi of No 37, 12th Street, Lanmadaw Township, offered robes, blankets and "soon" to members of the Sangha and lay persons.

The 55th Tipitaka Tipitakakovida Selection Examination will be held at Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill up to 30 January 2003.

Commander attends gold plates donation ceremony of Cetana Sambhara wut association to Shwedagon Pagoda

Yangon, 29 Dec - The merit-sharing ceremony for donation of gold plate offering ceremony of ‚etana Sambhara wut association in Kyimyindine Township for Shwedagon Pagoda was held at the ancient Buddha Images Tazaung on the platform of the pagoda this morning .

Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bahan Aungmyebonsan Monastery Bhaddanta Pa––indabhi-vamsa administered the Five Precepts. Maj-Gen Myint Swe and party offered donations to the Sayadaws. Chairman of the association U Kyaw Aye supplicated on the purpose of the donations.

Then, the commander accepted four gold plates weighing 12 ticals donated by the association; one gold plate each weighing 3 ticals each by U Maung Maung-Daw Sanda Shwe and family; U Hla Pe and family in memory of the late Daw Khin May Si; U Min Thein-Daw Moe Moe; U Thein Lwin-Daw Si Si and family; and Ko Kyaw Htay and sisters.

The certificates of honour were presented to the wellwishers. Also present on the occasion were No 3 Military Region Commander Col Yan Naing Oo, local authorities, members of the pagoda board of trustees, members of the association and wellwishers.

Later, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Paindabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

Education

School Family Day Exhibition continues

Yangon, 29 Dec - The Exhibition on the School Family Day for 2002-2003 academic year of the Ministry of Education continued for the third day at Diamond Jubilee Hall today.

The students viewed demonstration of Video Conferencing (Yangon-Mandalay) of University of Distance Education (Yangon), broadcasting of lessons to learning centres in states and divisions with Globe Caster Software and UCL Website, e-Book, e-Journal, e-Circulation, e-Lecture, e-Exam displayed at the booth on Model of e-Library (Virtual).

Robotic Arm made of the combination of computer and electronic is shown at Department of Engineering Physics & IT booth and application of wireless network for multimedia classrooms at the basic education schools of States and Divisions is displayed at the Lucky Bird Computer booth.

Led by General Staff Officer (Grade-1) Lt-Col Kyaw Hsan of Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, the Ministry of Defence, teachers and students of 20 schools of the Ministry of Defence and students from basic education schools visited the exhibition. The exhibition will continue till 3 January 2003 from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

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