The New Light of Myanmar ( Saturday, April 15, 2000 )

[Ok kar <OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar ( Saturday, April 15, 2000 )
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1. Senior General Than Shwe inspects dams in Myingyan District 
2. Senior General Than Shwe inspects progress in renovation of Hsinbyushin 
Kyaungtaik in Bagan  
3. Secretary-1, members of diplomatic corps take part in Thingyan Festival  
4. Secretary-l, ministers enjoy Thingyan  Festival on Akyat Day  
5. Thingyan revellers and people of Yangon enjoy Thingyan festivities on 
Akyat Day  
6. Commander opens Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival in Lashio  
7. Revellers throng road along moat in Mandalay on Akya Day  
8. Tunneling of Ponnya Mountain in progress  
9. 44 Mingin NLD members resign of own accord  

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(1)  Senior General Than Shwe inspects dams in Myingyan District

YANGON, 14 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council 
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected 
dams in Myingyan District yesterday morning. 

The Senior General and party went to Welaung Dam in Taungtha Township, 
Myingyan District, by helicopter. 

The Senior General and party heard reports on water storage capacity of 
Welaung Dam built on Heubyugon Creek south of Welaung Village in Taungtha 
Township, areas which can be irrigated by the dam and water supply for seven 
villages. 

Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint reported on facts 
about dams under construction and the existing dams in Myingyan District. 

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint reported on conditions of construction of a dam on 
Myaingyin (a) Kaing Creek in Taungtha Township. The Senior General gave 
guidance on the irrigation canal system for water supply and preservation of 
forests in

the watershed areas of respective dams. Afterwards, the Senior General and 
party inspected the dam and the main spillway. 

Welaung Dam was inaugurated in July 1998, and can irrigate 2,000 acres. Last 
year, it irrigated 1,916 acres for cultivation of crops, 1,473 acres for 
double cropping and 192 acres for mixed cropping. 

The Senior General and party left there for Zeedaw Dam in Natogyi Township by 
helicopter, where they were welcomed by Commander of No 99 LID Brig-Gen Htay 
Oo and officials. 

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on facts 
about Zeedaw Dam. Last year Zeedaw Dam irrigated 726 acres of land for 
cultivation of crops and 150 acres for double cropping. This year the dam 
will irrigate altogether 4,235 acres. 

The Senior General gave guidance. Zeedaw Dam built on NyaungOak Creek near 
Hsataung Village in Natogyi Township, can irrigate 4,000 acres. The Senior 
General and party inspected Zeedaw Dam and left for Bagan-NyaungU by 
helicopter. 

Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, together with Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and officials, 
inspected NyaungU District People's Hospital in NyaungU. Director of the 
Health Department Dr Wan Maung, Head of NyaungU District Health Department Dr 
Myo Lwin and officials reported on construction of the hospital and 
Jivitadana Sangha Hospital. The Secretary-2 spoke of the purpose of upgrading 
the hospital. 

Then the Secretary-2 and party inspected arrangements for the sinking of 
artisan wells under the dry region water supply programme at the office of 
NyaungU District Peace and Development Council. 

The Secretary-2 and party met with officials and service personnel of NyaungU 
District, Myingyan District and townships. 

Minister Col Thein Nyunt gave instructions on I water supply. Then the 
Secretary-2 said that all are to carry out assigned tasks dutifully for the 
successful implementation of objectives of the plans; as much as success is 
achieved in materializing the objectives of the plans, favorable foundations 
for posterity can be laid down more firmly. 

He noted that energetic efforts are to be made to build a peaceful, modern 
and developed nation. 
___________________________

(2)  Senior General Than Shwe inspects progress in renovation of Hsinbyushin 
Kyaungtaik in Bagan 

YANGON, 14 April -Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council 
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected 
renovation and restoration of Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik and Pagoda No 820 at 
Bagan this morning. 

Accompanied by an entourage of high-ranking officials, Senior General Than 
Shwe paid homage to Lawkananda Swedaw Pagoda at 7 am today. After signing in 
the visitors' book, Senior General Than Shwe made donations to the pagoda 
funds. 

At Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik, the Senior General and party inspected renovation 
and restoration of the monastery. Minister for Culture U Win Sein and 
Director General of Archaeology Department U Nyunt Han reported to the Senior 
General and party on progress of work in renovation of religious buildings in 
the compound of Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik, documentary photos of renovation 
works and objects found while the original Dhammsala Chamber was being 
excavated.

Minister for Culture U Win Sein briefed the Senior General and party on 
renovation of religious buildings in the compound of Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik, 
excavation of six monasteries including Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik and tasks to 
be carried out. 

Director of Archaeology Department (Bagan Branch) U Aung Kyaing explained to 
the Senior General and party about the stone inscriptions found in the 
compound of Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik. 

Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying as ancient religious edifices 
are being renovated and restored to their original design, efforts are 
required to portray the life style of ancient Bagan people. 

Hsinbyushin Kyaungtaik was built by Pinya Tasishin Thihathu. Forty-five 
ancient buildings such as wells, lakes, ordination halls, the Thera School 
and a temple were found in its compound. 

The Archaeology Department is renovating and restoring religious buildings to 
their original design. Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected 
renovation of Pagoda No 820. Minister for Culture U Win Sein and officials 
reported to the Senior General and party on matters related to documentary 
photos of renovation of the Pagoda No 820 and objects I found while 
renovation was being done. Afterward, the senior General and party paid 
obeisance to Hsinmyashin Buddha Image . Senior General Than Shwe donated cash 
to the Buddha Image. 
___________________________

(3)  Secretary-1, members of diplomatic corps take part in Thingyan Festival 

YANGON, 14 April - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated Thingyan 
Festival on the lawns of Zizawa Yeiktha on Pyay Road this evening. 
Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and 
wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe took part in the festival. 

Also present were ministers and their wives, Minister for Foreign Affairs U 
Win Aung and wife Daw San Yon, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin 
Maung Win and wife Daw Khin Swe Soe, department heads, Dean of Diplomatic 
Corps Ambassador of the Lao .People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and 
officials, the ambassadors and their wives and families of embassies. 

The Secretary- 1 and wife and party, together with guests, watched 
entertainment programmes presented by artistes and children of Ahlon Township 
Pre-primary School No 4. 

Then, the Secretary-1 and wife, the ministers and their wives and the 
ambassadors and their wives doused water on one another and enjoyed 
themselves on the occasion. 

The members of the diplomatic corps, together with Deputy Minister for 
Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and wife and officials, went to the marquee 
of the Ministry of Home Affairs, where they were welcomed by Minister for 
Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and 
departmental officials. 

Minister Col Tin Hlaing  extended greetings. The guests were entertained to 
Myanma traditional Thingyan songs and dances. 

Minister Col Tin Hlaing and Ambassador Mr Ly Bounkham presented gifts to the 
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and party. The guests, together with 
families of the Ministry of Home Affairs, doused one another with water in 
festive mood. 

The members of the t diplomatic corps and guests , proceeded to the marquee 
of the Yangon Mayor on Sule Pagoda Road, where they were welcomed by Yangon 
Mayor U Ko Lay and wife, the Vice-Mayor and wife, the secretary of Yangon 
City Development; Committee, officials and wives and employees and  their 
families. 

The Yangon Mayor hosted lunch to the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and 
wife, members of the diplomatic corps and guests. 

The Yangon Mayor, the Vice-Mayor, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and 
wife, department heads and members of the diplomatic corps watched the dance 
troupes and joined the artistes in dancing. They left there in evening. 
___________________________

(4)  Secretary-l, ministers enjoy Thingyan  Festival on Akyat Day 

YANGON, 14 April-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council 
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe took part in the Akyat Day 
Thingyan festivities held on the lawns of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
this morning. 

Ministers and their wives, ambassadors and their wives, officials of 
embassies and their wives, resident representatives of UN agencies and 
officials, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads 
of department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and staff families also 
took part in the traditional Thingyan festival. 

The guests were entertained to Thingyan songs and dances of the staff 
families. The Secretary-1 and Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, diplomats and families of 
the ministry took part in the festival by dousing water on each other. 

The Secretary- 1 and ministers presented gifts to the dance troupes. They 
left there in the evening. 
___________________________

(5)  Thingyan revellers and people of Yangon enjoy Thingyan festivities on 
Akyat Day 

YANGON, 14 April -A greater number of Thingyan revellers of Yangon City than 
the previous day took part in Myanma traditional Thingyan Festival in 
respective townships of Yangon Division in accord with the Myanmar culture 
and traditions for Thingyan Akyat Day today. 

Families of Queen Star Computer Centre took part in Myanma traditional 
Thingyan Festival at the pandal No 41, Shwetaunggya Street in Bahan Township 
on Akyat Day today. Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, 
Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun, Governor of the Central of Bank of Myanmar 
U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and officials took part in the Myanma traditional Thingyan 
Festival at Myanmar May Flower Bank Ltd pandal on Pansodan Street in 
Kyauktada Township this morning. Soe Moe Kyaw and Wai Wai Le Lottery shop is 
arranging to hold Jivitadana ceremony. 

The Max Myanmar Co Ltd on Bayintnaung Road opened the pandal from 9 am to 6 
pm today. 
___________________________

(6)  Commander opens Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival in Lashio 

YANGON, 14 April-A ceremony to open the Central Pandal of Lashio District 
Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival was held at the pandal in front of 
Town Hall in Lashio on 12 April evening. 

First, Commander Maj Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo formally opened the 
Central Pandal of Shan State (North) Myanma Traditional  Maha Thingyan 
Festival. Then, yein troupe members present variety dances with MannTaung 
Yeik Kho song accompanied by Myanma Orchestra. 

Afterwards, the Commander and wife and audience were presented variety dances 
and songs  yein troupes accompanies by Maw Keinnayi music band and Myanma 
Orchestra.
___________________________

(7)  Revellers throng road along moat in Mandalay on Akya Day 

YANGON, 14 April-The road along the moat in Mandalay was bustled with 
activities on Akya Day of Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival 
yesterday. 

Yesterday morning, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein and Deputy of Central 
Command Brig-Gen Nay Win, together with Secretary of Mandalay Division 

Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Ohn and officials, opened the pandal 
of JJ Company on 26th Street and took part in the festival. Thingyan 
revellers thronged Central Pandal of the Mandalay Mayor where famous 
vocalists presented songs and dance accompanied by Mann Myodaw music band. 
___________________________

(8)  Tunneling of Ponnya Mountain in progress 

YANGON, 14 April- Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung inspected the 
rail lines and bridges from Myaing Station to Kyaw Station in Magway Division 
on 10 April. 

Accompanied by officials, the minister inspected tunneling at the western 
portal of Ponnya Mountain, urging officials to ensure worksite safety and to 
drill the tunnel in accord with the procedures. They then inspected tunneling 
at the eastern portal. Tunnel ling is completed 1,788 feet at the western 
sector and 1,674 feet at the eastern side. Efforts are being made to drill 
the remaining 2,138, feet. 

At the project office, officials briefed the minister on progress in 
implementing the project. The minister attended to the requirements. In the 
evening, the minister inspected the project, speaking of the need to 
implement it in accord with the set standard.
___________________________

(9)  44 Mingin NLD members resign of own accord 

YANGON, 14 April-Forty-four members resigned from the National League for 
Democracy of Mingin Township, Sagaing Division. 

Forty-four members of Mingin Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own 
accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Mingin Township 
Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned 
on 14 September 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party 
politics of NLD.
___________________________

WEATHER

Maximum temperature on 13-4-2000 was 37.0°C (95°F)
Minimum temperature on 14-4-2000 was 23.0 °C (73°F)