( 8 March 2020 )
O N the auspicious occasion of the 71st Anniversary of Pa-O National Day which falls on 8 March 2020, the Full Moon Day of Tabaung, 1381 BE, I send this message of greetings with good wishes and metta for good health and well-being of all our union born Pa-O brothers and sisters.
Pa-O people are a union born national ethnic race who have migrated into the Union of Myanmar in search of clear waters and green pastures and have been living together with other union born ethnic national races in weal and woe. With due regard to the birthday of King Suriya Chanda, which is steeped in tradition and significance for the Pa-O national race, I understand that the full moon day of Tabaung, has been designated and celebrated as the Pa-O National Day since many years ago. I feel pleased and honored that this day has been celebrated for the last 71 years after we gained independence,
I feel greatly honored that the 71st Anniversary of Pa-O National Day has been celebrated for the perpetuation of the Union, all Union ethnic races to be imbued with Union spirit, establishment of a modern and developed Democratic Federal Union, establishment of genuine and lasting peace, Pa-O regions to be modern and developed, and development of Pa-O national literature, culture and traditions.
Pa-O ethnic nationals have participated in the struggle for independence with ardent patriotic spirit. They attended and participated in the discussions of the Panglong Conference which is a milestone of the struggle for independence; U Phyu, the representative of the Thaton Sawbwa, signed the Panglong agreement on behalf of Pa-O ethnic nationals. I have thus seen that they have vibrant and ardent Union spirit.
I wish to thank and honor all Pa-O ethnic nationals for actively participating in the efforts to end the internal armed conflicts which came together with independence, achieving enduring and lasting peace and establishment of a Democratic Federal Union.
I am very delighted that Pa-O ethnic nationals have adopted and are implementing as the duties of all Pa-O nationals, unity based on the Democratic Federal Union, peaceful coexistence with other ethnic national brothers and sisters in weal and woe in friendship and respect; and also the development of their traditions, literature and culture.
It is a matter of pleasure and joy to see that Pa-O ethnic nationals are enjoying the fruits of peace such as education, health, transport and communications and improvement of socio-economic status as they want to live in peace.
I am also pleased and honoured to know that the PNLO (Pa-O National Liberation Organization) has signed the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) and is actively participating and cooperating in the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong process, which aims to establish the Democratic Federal Union, and also in the regional development programmes.
In conclusion, I have honour and pleasure to send this message of greetings with good wishes for the progress and prosperity of all our Pa-O ethnic nationals; may you all be able to maintain forever the traditional culture and traditions and also the good tradition of “donating what little you have”; may you all be able to continue and participate hand in hand with other ethnic brothers and sisters, collectively and in unity, in the march towards the Democratic Federal Union; and may you all have peace of mind and tranquility in your hearts.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar