Myanmar President U Thein Sein, who attended the Naga Traditional New Year Festival 2016 at the Shwepyitha sports ground in Lahe, Sagaing Region, on January 15, stressed the need to keep up the pace of the already-achieved peace and prosperity and to work towards a smooth transition, reports the Myanmar News Agency.
In his address, the President extended warm wishes for the Naga New Year celebration and said only with political stability would there be domestic tranquillity as well as national economic development, thereby contributing towards ensuring better living standards for the people.
The President called for the collaboration of local people with the government’s efforts to develop states and regions in various sectors that range from tourism to trade and investment, ensuring the availability of electricity and drinking water and creating job opportunities.
He said so long as mutual respect between Union brethren existed with a strong sense of belonging to the country, all the national races could co-exist forever in unity. The president urged the crowd to make great strides in transforming the nation into peaceful and developed one. During the celebration, the President received the Naga traditional costume and a New Year gift presented by U Ru San Kyu, chairman of the leading body of the Naga Self-Administered Zone. Accompanied by commander-in-chief of defence services senior general Min Aung Hlaing, union ministers, regional chief ministers U Tha Aye and U Ye Myint, senior military officers from the office of commander-in-chief (Army) and officials, the President enjoyed performances of traditional dance troupes.
Saturday, April 18, 2026