Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo Attends Meeting 1/2023 of the Leading Committee on Renovation of Cultural Heritage in Bagan’s World Heritage Site

Ministry of Defense/ Naypyitaw / July 11, 2023

The meeting 1/2023 of the Leading Committee on Renovation of Cultural Heritage in Bagan’s World Heritage Site was held at Wunzinminyarzar Hall of the National Library of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture in Nay Pyi Taw on 6 July and the SAC Member Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo delivered a speech covering the following points –

· Due to the recent storm Mocha on 15 May, heavy rains inundated the precincts of 15 stupas and temples including Dhammayangyi Temple in the Bagan region, causing damage to some parts of eight religious edifices and slight damage to 45 ancients of the buildings. In this regard, he underscored the cooperation of relevant region governments, and local government departments.

· He recounted that the Department of Archaeology and National Museum has maintained seven of eight pagodas while Chinese experts are repairing the walls of Thatbyinnyu Temple.

· Among 15 stupas and temples that were affected by heavy rain inundation, the precinct of Sularmani pagoda was the worst. As per the directives of SAC Chairman, the ground-level of the precinct was already measured and adjusted, the water outlets were identified and fixed, and new water outlets were built without damaging the original design of the pagoda.

· As the Bagan region is listed as the World Heritage Site, the repair works must follow the advices of International Cooperation Committee comprising local and foreign experts, rules being followed by international community, and international norms and standards.

Also present at the meeting were Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Union Ministers of members of the Leading Committee, Chief Ministers of Magway region and Mandalay region, Deputy Ministers, ministers of region governments of Mandalay and Magway, departmental heads, Chairman of Myanmar Engineers Council, local experts, Department of Archaeology and National Museum, and district-level departmental officials of Nyaung-U and Pakkoku districts.

Source: Myawady Daily Newspaper (7-7-2023)