Myanmar holds ceremonies to mark 69th Independence Day

Myanmar held state ceremonies here and in Yangon respectively to mark the country's 69th Independence Day on Wednesday.

In Nay Pyi Taw, Vice President Myint Swe read out the message sent by President Htin Kyaw, stressing the importance for all the national brethren to keep an eye on the 21st Century Panglong Conference at which all can cooperate and find a solution to national reconciliation and union peace, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Despite regaining independence, it was tragic to see certain national races in some regions could not fully enjoy the fruits of independence as their future was overwhelmed by armed crisis.

"At present those doubt and crisis were extinct and all the national brethren are trying hard to possess everlasting peace and to build a federal state," Htin Kyaw said in the message.

He added that the armed struggle lasted for long but could not solve the political crisis, leaving the country undeveloped for decades.

The president noted that the constitution is the foundation of all the laws and plays a vital role in a country. He stressed the need to collaborate to adopt the constitution appropriate to the time and circumstances of current situation in building a democratic federal nation.

In Yangon, a national flag hoisting ceremony with a guard of honour to mark Independence Day was held for the first time in the new government's tenure in the Maha Bandoola Park.

The ceremony was held in front of the City Hall where the independence memorial monument is situated, with Yangon Region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein also reading out the president's Independence Day message.

Myanmar became a British colony in the late 19th century and regained its independence on January 4, 1948.

--IANS

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