NAY PYI TAW June 10
Chairman of State Administra-tion Council Prime Minister Se-nior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by his wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, members of the entourage, and chief ministers of Mandalay and Sagaing regions, inspected the progress in carrying out rehabilitation activities in earthquake-hit Sagaing and Mandalay today and looked into the requirements.
Sagaing BEHS 1
The Senior General and party arrived at Basic Education High School No 1 in Sagaing and were welcomed by the headmistress and officials. While the headmistress and officials were welcoming them, the Senior General said the country is providing all students with KG+9 free education. Education will produce good human resources that can differentiate between good and bad and cause and effects and can serve the national interest more. Thus, education staff must be dutiful and must also teach social relations. As the saying goes “Discipline starts at school” they must teach the pupils to pursue a disciplined lifestyle since childhood. They must also ensure education for all school age children through awareness campaigns. The Senior General then attended to the needs.
The Senior General and party observed the classrooms that needed reconstruction and erection of temporary classrooms. In response to the reports of officials, the Senior General spoke of the need to ensure strength and sustainability of the reconstructed school buildings and fulfill the needs of other areas.
He then looked arounds the classrooms and gave encouragement to students.
Rajamani Cula Kaunghmutaw Pagoda
On arrival at the Rajamani Cula Kaungh-mutaw Pagoda, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Chair of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Than Tun Aung and members. The Senior General and wife and members of the entourage paid homage and offered flowers, water, lights and fruits to a Buddha image at the pagoda. The Senior General surveyed the damage caused by the Mandalay earthquake to the interior and exterior sections, roofed passages and religious buildings of the pagoda, progress in removing debris and reconstruction activities. He also gave guidance to facilitate the work.
The Senior General and party conducted fish feeding and releasing at Metta Lake in the northern sector of the pagoda. At the Aungmyae Bodi Hall of the pagoda, the Senior General heard a report on the current situation of the pagoda presented with the help of the photos showing its evolvement throughout the past successive years, pre-earthquake photos and post-earthquake photos by Lt-Gen Thet Pon of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees. The Senior General told them to repair the damage parts in accord with the original designs, to grow shades trees in rows and sections around the Metta Lake, to turn roofed passages into facilities where pilgrims can take a rest peacefully. He also provided means for early com-pletion of the work.
The Senior General and wife presented collected donations for all-round renovation of the pagoda to the members of the board.
1,500 tons of cement donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) for repair of pagodas and stupas after earthquake damage
Next, the Senior General and his entourage arrived at the Sitagu Vipassana Monastery. They paid respects to the State Ovadacariya Sawlasama Sayadaw of Shwegyin Nikaya Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Universities Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Dr. Bhaddanta Ñavissara. They then offered 1,500 tons of cement donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) for the repair and restoration of pagodas and stupas that enshrine sacred Buddha relics but were damaged by the earthquake, and alms. Following this, a merit-sharing ceremony was held to dedicate the donations to the monks, nuns, and lay devotees who lost their lives in the natural disaster.
Soon Oo Ponnya Shin Pagoda
Next, the Senior General, along with his wife and entourage, visited the Soon Oo Ponnya Shin Pagoda, which had suffered damage due to the earthquake. They inspected the clearing and restoration efforts being carried out to address the damages.
Following this, at the Dhamma Hall, a representative from the Pagoda’s Board of Trustees presented the historical records and photographs of the revered Soon Oo Ponnya Shin Pagoda, including documentation of its condition before the Mandalay earthquake, the extent of damage caused by the earthquake, and the assessments conducted by experts. He also displayed proposed reinforcement models using reinforced concrete to ensure the pagoda’s long-term stability, as well as layout plans for the pagoda and other religious structures.
In response to the presentation, the Senior General instructed that the pagoda be restored strictly in accordance with its original design while preserving its historical integrity. He emphasized the need to systematically compile historical photographic records and ensure that the reconstruction of the pagoda and associated religious buildings is carried out with structural stability in mind. Additionally, he provided further necessary guidance. Subsequently, the Senior General paid respects to the Buddha image enshrined within the Dhamma Hall.
Removal of debris from Sagaing Bridge (Inwa) Spans No. 4 and 5
Later, the Senior General and party arrived at the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon), where officials briefed them on the ongoing efforts to remove debris from Spans No. 4 and 5 of the Sagaing Bridge (Inwa) to reopen the waterway. They also reported on the damage to the lateral bracing, bearings, and piers of the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon). The Senior General issued necessary instructions regarding the repairs.
Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image
The Senior General and party then visited the Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image, where they offered flowers and water in reverence. They inspected the damage caused by the earthquake, including the fallen diamond orb and pennant-shaped vane, which had been adorned with precious gems donated by devotees. They also examined the ancient mural paintings that had collapsed during the quake and issued necessary instructions to the responsible officials.
The Senior General further inspected the earthquake damage to the Maha Myat Muni Pagoda and associated religious structures, as well as the ongoing reconstruction efforts. After hearing reports from officials, the Senior General provided further guidance.
Later, inside the museum, the Mayor of Mandalay and the Chairman of the Maha Myat Muni Pagoda’s Board of Trustees briefed the Senior General on the extent of the earthquake damage and the progress of reconstruction efforts. The Senior General stressed the importance of restoring the damaged structures in line with their original craftsmanship, ensuring long-term durability from an engineering perspective, and maintaining systematic records of the restoration work. He also issued additional necessary instructions.
Maha Atulawaiyan (Atumashi) Monastery and Sula Muni Buddha Image
Next, the Senior General and his entourage arrived at the Maha Atulawaiyan (Atumashi) Monastery, where they were welcomed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, U Mya Win, and other officials. They then paid homage to the revered Sula Muni Buddha Image and other sacred Buddha statues inside the monastery, offering flowers and water.
The Senior General also observed the golden robes and golden throne offered to enhance the sanctity of the Sula Muni Buddha Image and gave necessary instructions.
Subsequently, the Senior General and wife donated funds from the collective charity contributions, which were received by members of the monastery’s board of trustees.
Finally, the Senior General signed the monastery’s guestbook and inspected measures taken to maintain the monastery and Buddha images in a dignified and reverential manner. He left further instructions as needed.
