Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and chief ministers of Mandalay and Sagaing regions, yesterday inspected ongoing rehabilitation operations for loss and damage caused by the earthquake in Sagaing and Mandalay.At the meeting with the headteacher and officials of the No 1 Basic Education High School in Sagaing, the Senior General explained that the State arranges the KG+9 free education system for the enhancement of education standards. Educational staff have to serve academic duties conscientiously and teach students to have knowledge of literature and social relations. They need to organize the people to enable all school-age children to learn and fulfil their needs.The Senior General viewed round progress in the construction of necessary school buildings of the school and guided officials to systematically construct school buildings to have long-term strengthening. He also observed the learning of students in the school buildings.While in Sagaing, the Senior General, his wife and entourage paid homage to the Buddha image of Rajamanicula Kaungmhudaw Pagoda. The Senior General oversaw damage to the interior and exterior of Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, stairways and religious buildings, debris clearance process and rehabilitation measures.The Senior General and party fed fish and released fingerlings at the Myitta Lake in the northern wing of the pagoda.In the Aungmyay Bawdi Dhammayon of the pagoda, the Senior General heard reports on loss and damage to the pagoda by Lt-Gen Thet Pon from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and members of the pagoda board of trustees.After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave guidance on repairing the damaged parts to the original state, growing trees along the bund of Myitta Lake, and relaxation sites at stairways of pagodas.The Senior General and his wife donated cash to the fund for the overall renovation of the pagoda through officials.Afterwards, the Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister, along with Council members, arrived at the Sitagu Vipassana Monastery. There, they paid respect to the State Ovadacariya Sayadaw, Sitagu Shwekyin Sangha Patron, and Chancellor of the Sitagu International Buddhist Academies, Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika Dr Bhaddanta Ñissara.In support of the restoration work for pagodas, stupas, and other religious structures that were damaged or collapsed due to the recent earthquake, they donated 1,500 tonnes of cement and other offerings, contributed by families from the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, and Air).The merits for the offerings were then shared in dedication to the monks, nuns, and individuals who lost their lives due to the natural disaster.The Senior General also inspected the damage to SunU Ponnyashin Pagoda.An official forwarded reports on the examination of the pagoda by experts, samples for the reconstruction of the pagoda with the use of RC beams for its perpetuation and the layout for religious buildings of the pagoda.In his response, the Senior General gave guidance to officials to systematically compile the documentary photos of the pagoda, renovate the pagoda in its original state, and carry out necessary calculations for the reconstruction of religious buildings.On arrival at Ayeyawady Bridge (Inwa), an official reported to the Senior General on the opening of the watercourse after the removal of debris at the No 4 and No 5 arches of the bridge and damage to lateral bracing, bearing and piers of the bridge.At Maha Muni Buddha Image, the Senior General examined jewellery items for the collapsed diamond orb and the pennant-shaped vane, and cracked mural paintings. He also viewed round damage to the Buddha image and religious buildings and gave necessary guidance to officials.At the Museum of the pagoda, the Mandalay Mayor and the chairman of the Image Board of Trustees reported on the progress of reconstruction measures. The Senior General stressed the need to systematically repair the buildings in their original states, and emphasize renovation for the buildings to be perpetual through engineering perspectives.On arrival at Maha Atulawaiyan (Atumashi) Monastery, the Senior General paid homage to the Culamuni Buddha Image and other Buddha images and made cash donations.The Senior General inspected maintenance of the monastery and Buddha images for magnificence and left necessary guidance. — MNA/TTAGNLM
Wed, 11-Jun-2025
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