20 October

Yesterday morning a Nepali delegation led by President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Mrs Bidya Devi Bhandari who was on a State Visit to Myanmar attended a donation ceremony of 30 Buddha images of various mudras that were to be donated to the Lumbini museum in Nepal. The Nepali delegation was accompanied by Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko and officials. The donation ceremony was held at the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy in Pinlon Ward, Dagon Myothit (East), Yangon and the Buddha images were donated by the Sitagu Sayadaw Ashin Nyanissara.

At the donation ceremony Sitagu Sayadaw Ashin Nyanissara and Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko delivered speeches of greetings.

Next, Sitagu Sayadaw donated the Buddha images to the Nepali President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said words of thanks. A commemorative group photo was then taken.

Afterwards, the Nepali President and party visited Bogyoke Museum in Bahan Township, Yangon where Department of Archaeology and National Museum Director General U Kyaw Oo Lwin provided explanations.

Later in the afternoon the Nepali President attended the Myanmar-Nepal bilateral trade cooperation event jointly conducted by Myanmar-Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Myanmar-Nepal Friendship Association.

At the event Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, U Kyaw Myaing, Senior Advisor from the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, and Dr Thant Myint-U from the U Thant Museum and Chairman of the Yangon Heritage Trust gave brief talks about Myanmar-Nepal bilateral trade and friendship matters and responded to questions raised by members of the audience.

From there the Nepali President and party accompanied by Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Mayor U Maung Maung Soe and officials visited the Shwedagon Pagoda. Pagoda Trustee Board alternate chairman U Than Zaw provided explanations about the pagoda with the aids of photographic records.

The Nepal-Myanmar Friendship Lumbini Photo Exhibition opening ceremony was then held at Chanthagyi Hall on the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Nepali Minister for Foreign Affairs, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture and Yangon Region Chief Minister opened the photo exhibition by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. The Nepali President lighted an oil lamp for the photo exhibition and then observed the photos exhibited.

In the evening President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Mrs Bidya Devi Bhandari attended a dinner hosted by the Nepali Embassy at Wyndham Grand Yangon Hotel in Mingala Taungnyunt Township.

The dinner was attended by Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Region government ministers, Region Hluttaw Deputy Speaker, officials from the Nepali Embassy, ambassadors and officials from foreign embassies in Myanmar and invited guests.
The dinner began with the playing of the national anthems of Myanmar and Nepal. 

Next the Nepali Ambassador Mr Bhim Krishna Udas and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali delivered speeches of greetings.

After cultural dances and songs of Myanmar and Nepal were performed, dinner was served.

Earlier in the morning Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali accompanied by the Nepali Ambassador Mr Bhim Krishna Udas visited the Maha Wizaya Pagoda in Dagon Township, Yangon where Yangon mayor U Maung Maung Soe and officials greeted them.

The Nepali Foreign Minister then observed the 16 wood carving paintings donated by the King and Queen of Nepal in 1985 and donated US$ 2,100 to the pagoda. 

MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)