State Counsellor attends Mon National Day event

 February 2, 2018

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended a dinner to mark the 71st Mon National Day at the Myanmar International Convention Centre II-(MICC-II) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, at which she expressed her happiness over last week’s pledge by the New Mon State Party to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

Speaking at the ceremony, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the move would strengthen the Union spirit of the country.

“We all take great pride in the recent agreement with the Mon ethnic armed group to sign the ceasefire agreement for their participation in the peace process, and I believe that Mon ethnic people are also taking pride in it. This is the first step, and we must strive to reach our goal of eternal peace,”’ she said.

The State Counsellor stressed the importance of “respect, loving kindness, and values” among the national ethnic races in the country for allowing the Union spirit to flourish, highlighting how Bamar people respect and admire Queen Shinsawpu, King Raja Diraj and King Dhammazedi and the historical heroes of the Mon people.

“Mon ethnic people should take pride in that Burmese people loves the Mon heroes in history, and Burmese people should take pride in those who love and respect heroes of ethnic Mon”, said the State Counsellor.

She also said the recent agreement is an important show of unity and positive thinking among ethnic people to reach the goal of a Federal Union.

“How far is our goal? If we walk together joining hands with each other, we will reach it without tiredness,” said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also said the government is obliged to support and encourage the languages and culture of ethnic people. “Our cooperation at the national days of ethnic people is an important step for the march to democracy,” she said.

Following her address, Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin expressed his pleasure over the freedom to hold the national days of ethnic people in the time of the elected government. At a dinner held later in the evening, Mon ethnic dance troupes performed traditional dances.

Yesterday’s event was attended by Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U Win Myint and wife, Speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw Mahn Win Khaing Than and wife, Chairman of the Constitutional Tribunal U Myo Nyunt and wife, Chairman of the Union Election Commission U Hla Thein and wife, Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat and wife, Deputy Speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw U Aye Tha Aung and wife, Chairman of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission Thura U Shwe Mann and wife, Union Ministers, Union Attorney-General, Union Auditor-General, Chairman of Union Civil Service Board, Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council and their wives, deputy ministers, members of Anti-Corruption Commission, Hluttaw representatives, departmental heads, Mon ethnic people and invited guests.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar