The Myanmar high-level delegation led by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paid a goodwill visit to the Russian Federation from 7 May at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and attended the military parade to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 and related events.

The Myanmar high-level delegation led by the Senior General left Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow yesterday morning for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar by special aircraft.
On the way back to Myanmar, the Senior General replied to queries raised by the media onboard the special flight. The full text of the questions and answers was mentioned as follows: –

Q: Senior General, during the Myanmar-Russia goodwill visit from 3 to 9 May, the outcomes of the discussions and negotiations were highly beneficial for Myanmar. Now, regarding this trip to attend the military parade for the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, I would like to know what kind of benefits or results for our country.
Senior General: This ceremony is something the Russian people deeply value and take pride in. They sacrificed over 26 million lives fighting back against the fascist Nazis who invaded the Soviet Union, in order to reclaim their country’s sovereignty. That’s why they hold it in such high regard. It’s something we should also respect. Myanmar, too, has a history of resistance against fascism. There is a historical account of how Tatmadaw and the people united to fight for independence. It’s a proud and strong part of our history. Therefore, I would like to say that it is necessary for us to continue maintaining and carrying out this matter. Another point is that it’s clear that if the country’s defence capacity is strong, and if Tatmadaw is strong, then the nation itself will also be powerful.

It will also be necessary to further instil and promote patriotism and national pride among all citizens. Only then will all the people be able to contribute to Myanmar’s development and progress — that’s what I see.

Q: During the visit, we saw you met with national leaders who also attended the military parade. What were the notable highlights?”

Senior General: We had the opportunity to meet and have informal discussions with some State leaders, and we were also able to engage in formal talks. Especially from the perspective of Myanmar, I personally accept and support the move towards a multiparty democratic system. That is the direction we must go. I also explained to them that, following this path, we will be organizing a free and fair election by the end of this year.

I see that all meeting counterparts were supportive and expressed their support. Regarding Myanmar, we were able to explain the current situation and changes to some countries, and in other cases, it was more of an introductory meeting with some countries. Overall, I’d like to say that everything went well and all the meetings were positive.

Q: During the trip, we also saw that there was a meeting and discussion with the President of the People’s Republic of China, a neighbouring country of Myanmar. What would you like to say regarding this meeting and discussion?

Senior General: Myanmar and China are countries with close ties as the Pauk-Phaw relationship, like long-time friends. China is a strategic partner and also neighbouring country that cannot be separated. Diplomatic relations between the two nations have now surpassed 75 years. That’s why I would say China is a country with a special relationship with us. Regarding the Mandalay earthquake, the President also expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and damage suffered by the people. After the incident, he even sent me a message of condolence. He also sincerely stated that China will continue to assist in the reconstruction efforts following the earthquake. He expressed strong support for Myanmar’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and development. He also told us that he supports Myanmar’s peace and stability, as well as its development. As for me, I stated our firm position on the Belt and Road Initiative and that Myanmar is actively committed to participating in it. I was also able to briefly explain the current situation in Myanmar. Furthermore, I had discussions regarding the promotion and implementation of the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh economic corridor. Then, regarding the upcoming multiparty democratic elections to be held in Myanmar, he reaffirmed his support and encouragement for Myanmar’s preparations and the electoral process. I would also like to say that our meeting and discussion yielded good and positive outcomes. MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light Of Myanmar

ACCORDING to the observations at 4:30 pm MST today, due to the unstable air condition over the Andaman Sea and South Bay of Bengal and likelihood of advancement of southwest monsoon, rain or thundershowers are likely to be scattered to fairly widespread in Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions and Kachin, Chin, Rakhine and northern Shan states and widespread in Yangon, Bago, Ayeyawady and Taninthayi regions and Kayah, Kayin, Mon and (southern and eastern)Shan states with likelihood of isolated heavyfalls during 10 May 2025 to 15 May 2025.
Advisory
People should be aware of the natural disasters such as the heavy rainfall with strong wind, thunder, lightning strike, lightning, hails, flash floods and landslides in the hilly areas and near small rivers and inland water transport and domestic flight. — DMC

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Yangon Region Young Entrepreneurs Association has announced that it will donate houses worth K5 million each to 100 households in earthquake-stricken areas.
YRYEA has been providing relief efforts in earthquake-affected areas by opening mobile clinics, providing health care, and donating tents, and home starter kits. Moreover, it will continue to implement the “Build a House Together” programme to alleviate the suffering of people in these disaster-hit cities as humanitarian aid for rehabilitation.
The house’s dimensions will be 12 feet by 40 feet for K5 million. Well-wishers are invited to donate to a whole house or make any contributions for collective participation in the “Build a House Together” programme. They can contact the YRYEA Office at 09 266559323 and 09 266559324. — MT/ZN

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Day meals offered to Sangha members dedicated to monks, people who lost lives in powerful Mandalay earthquake

THE State Administration Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held a ceremony to offer day meals to members of the Sangha as a one-month memorial donation dedicated to monks and people who lost their lives in the incident of the powerful Mandalay earthquake, in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory yesterday morning.
Before the ceremony, a documentary video clip on loss and damage caused by the Mandalay earthquake, and the tireless endeavours of internal and international rescue teams in rescue and relief operations and the progress of rehabilitation measures was presented.
The congregation took the Five Precepts from State Ovadacariya of Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Bhaddanta Acinna Maha Thihanada Monastery of Tatkon.
Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla and attendees listened to the recitation of Metta Sutta by members of the Sangha. The Senior General and his wife donated offerings to Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Bhaddanta Janinda, Presiding Patron of Paukmyaing Monastery from Lewe in Nay Pyi Taw.
SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe offered alms to Maha Thihanada Sayadaw while the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, and council members and their wives presented offerings to members of the Sangha.
Presiding Patron of Pali Tekkatho Mingala Zeyon Monastery, Aggamaha Pandita Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimalabuddhi delivered a sermon, and the congregation, led by the Senior General and his wife, shared merits dedicated to members of the Sangha and people who lost their lives in the incident of the Mandalay Earthquake.
After the ceremony, the Senior General and his wife, the Vice-Senior General and his wife and the congregation offered day meals to members of the Sangha.
Also present at the ceremony were members of the Sangha, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, council members, Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers and their wives, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, deputy ministers and officials. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Union ministers and the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, yesterday afternoon inspected the National Museum (Nay Pyi Taw) damaged by the Mandalay earthquake.
The Senior General and party viewed round the building of the library, the room where literary works of Alinka Kyawswa Sithu Tekkatho Myat Thu are kept, the electronic library and reading room, Wunzin Min Yazar hall, bookshelves, palm leaves and folded paper section, loss and damage to the library, and systematic keeping of books in genres. The Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture and officials reported on the loss and damage to the library in the earthquake.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General stressed the need to systematically keep books in the library in genres and set records. Repairs must be done for damaged parts. The library must keep good literature on real historical events in the political changes of the State. Officials need to systematically and continuously preserve, protect, and pass Myanmar’s political history down from generation to generation.
The Senior General presented cash support for librarians through an official. At Uppatasanti Pagoda, the Senior General assessed the conditions where cracks, subsidence, and damage had occurred in some areas of the sacred pagoda’s platform and religious structures. Officials reported damaged parts at the pagoda.
In his response, the Senior General instructed officials to swiftly repair damaged parts of the terrace of the pagoda, retaining walls and some religious buildings. The repair process must be done as much as possible before the rainy season. The government will provide necessary assistance for the repair processes. It is necessary to urge well-wishers to make donations for the repair and renovation of the religious buildings at the pagoda.
The Senior General paid homage to the Buddha image in the cave of the pagoda and fed white elephants at the shed. The stake-driven ceremony for Uppatasanti Pagoda took place in 2006. As the cornerstones were laid on 440 bored piles systematically, just a few parts of the pagoda were damaged in the earthquake. As some cracks and subsidence occurred on the terrace of the pagoda, the government plans to swiftly repair them. Hence, people can make donations for the repair and renovation of the terrace of the pagoda and religious buildings as part of performing meritorious deeds. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

IN memory of Pope Francis, who passed away on 21 April, Union Minister for Ministry 2 at the Office of the State Administration Council Chairman U Ko Ko Hlaing signed the condolence book at the Holy See (Vatican City) Embassy in Yangon yesterday afternoon.
During his visit, the Union Minister met with the Charge d’Affaires and officials of the embassy, extending heartfelt condolences and expressing sympathy over the passing of Pope Francis. The Union Minister offered condolences on behalf of the government of Myanmar and signed the book in tribute to the late Pope.
Pope Francis, who began his papacy in 2013, made an official goodwill visit to Myanmar in 2017. — MNA/KZL

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

STARTING 12 May 2025, airport tax will be raised for all passengers leaving the country, said an air ticket agency, referring to a statement released by Yangon International Airport (YIA).
According to the statement, the airport tax will be collected at US$25 for overseas flights and K15,000 for domestic flights at the check-in counter.
“It will take effect for Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay airports, while the tax will be K5,000 for domestic passengers and $2 for foreigners at the rest airports. We will inform customers individually who bought air tickets from our office of this message,” said an official from the air ticket agency. — Htun Htun/ZS

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

ON behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing of the Ministry 2 at the Chairman Office of the State Administration Council signed the condolence book for the late former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Malaysian Embassy in Yangon yesterday.
During his visit, Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing met the Chargé d’Affaires and officials of the Malaysian Embassy and conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government of Myanmar for the demise of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He then signed the condolence book to express Myanmar’s sympathy and solidarity formally.
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi served as the fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2003 to 2009. — MNA/ MKKS

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

After the Mandalay earthquake, visitor arrival to Ngwesaung Beach has been low, according to residents and visitors.
Hotel rooms were booked for Thingyan since March but some were resold and cancelled, said a resident.
“It may be related to the quake. The beach has yet to be crowded. People postponed their bookings and some resold. It seems the visitor arrival won’t be large this year. Some visitors won’t come. Rooms are still available. There are just a few visitors for now at the beach,” said a travel planner.
Over previous years, even in early April before the Thingyan Festival, the two local famous beaches – Chaungtha and Ngwehsaung were thronged with visitors including family vacations and company trips, he said.
Similarly, there are still visitors in Bagan after the quake struck, according to residents.
Except for Mandalay and Sagaing, travelling is still possible in other cities based on recent travel information, so travel operators can arrange tours smoothly, the Domestic Pilgrimage and Tour Operators Association announced on 1 April. — MT/ZS

Source: Global New Light of Myanmar

without discrimination between the hills and the plains in carrying out the tasks of national reconstruction.
Regarding education, he stated that efforts are being made as quickly as possible to repair and reopen the basic education schools that were damaged by the earthquake before the start of the new school term. It was also emphasized that collective efforts must be made to ensure all school-aged children have access to education.
The Senior General presented foodstuffs and cash assistance for quake victims through officials and gave cash awards to rescue teams.
The Senior General inspected the loss and damage to religious buildings at the Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda and instructed officials to provide necessary construction materials for maintenance of the main chamber of the pagoda. He stressed the need to build sheet piles at the landscape areas of the retaining wall caused by the earthquake.
During his trip, the Senior General offered gold foils to the pagoda and presented cash donations to the fund of the pagoda.
The Senior General also presented cash awards to members of the Myanmar Police Force and firefighters who participate in rescue and relief operations. — MNA/TTA

Source : The Global New Light of Myanmar