Region    

Yangon, 2 April - Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence left here by air and arrived at Loikaw on 29 March morning.

Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and party met with Kayah State level departmental officials at the Town Hall of Loikaw.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe said that Kayah State is blessed with good conditions in agricultural sector and there is rice sufficiency in the region. He added that only over a half of cultivable farmland of Kayah State is used for agricultural purpose and thus paddy cultivation is to be extended for rice surplus.

In Kayah State, government staff and Tatmadaw members discharging the duties of the State are in unison. He stressed the importance of unity among the staff, upholding Our Three Main National Causes and enhancing Union Spirit. He said that at a time when the government is making all-out efforts for building up a modern and developed nation, the employees and Tatmadawmen are to unitedly take part in the nation-building tasks.

Col Thein Swe reported on geographical situations of Kayah State, progress of agriculture, livestock breeding, education, health and economic sectors, formation of social organizations and their role in carrying out regional development tasks.

Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said that local authorities and staff at different levels play a vital role in the tasks for development of the nation and so the staff are dutifully perform the tasks with goodwill. In building up a modern and developed nation, staff, Tatmadawmen and the people, upholding Our Three Main National Causes, are to join hands with the government in carrying out tasks unitedly. Tatmadaw is essential in safeguarding and defending the nation and it is also the inborn-duty of all citizens, and all are to participate in discharging that duty depending on the time and circumstances, he noted.

The personnel and Tatmadaw members are to carry out the State's duties with good volition in unison for the benefits of theirs as well as their region and the nation. He emphasized the importance of extended cultivation of paddy in advance for increasing population. In conclusion, he called on the employees and Tatmadawmen to collectively undertake national development tasks effectively.

After the ceremony, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann met with Tatmadaw members of battalions and units of Loikaw Station and gave necessary instructions. Then, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and party, accompanied by Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, inspected progress of Ywathit in Bawlake Township, Bawlake District. They went to Shwe Kyaung in the town and paid reverence and presented offertories to members of the Sangha. They viewed Buddha images and artistic sculptures and cordially greeted the local residents.

Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and party inspected thriving herbal plantations and gave instructions to the staff. They then arrived in the afternoon at Homein, Loilem District, Shan State (South). Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and party met officers and other ranks of local regiments and units at Aung Zeya Hall in the town and left necessary instructions. They also met national race leaders and departmental personnel and gave instructions on regional development at the hall of the town. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann presented K 100,000 to the staff, and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, gifts for the region through national race leader U Naw Mein Khun and U Mahagya, who then presented gifts to Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint. They inspected progress of Homein.

They then proceeded to Ponpakyin, Mongton Township, Shan State (East). At the office of Ponpakyin Administration Office, they met the chairman of Township Peace and Development Council and members and departmental officials and gave instructions on regional development and presented cash awards to the staff. They also met with Tatmadaw members and their families at the hall of the town and presented gifts to Tatmadawmen discharging defending duties in forward areas through an officer. They inspected construction of Ponpakyin Basic Education High School. They spent the night in Monghsat.