THE 73rd anniversary of Mon National Day, which falls on the first day after the full moon on Tabodwe 1382 ME, was commemorated at Than Lwin Garden, Mawlamyine in Mon State, yesterday.
The guests attending the ceremony were Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin, Mon State Chief Minister Dr Aye Zan, State Hluttaw Speaker Daw Tin Ei, Commander of the South East Command Maj-Gen Myo Moe Aung, state ministers, Hluttaw representatives, Chairman Min Banyar San of the Central Committee for Organizing Mon National Day, department officials, and Mon and other ethnic nationals.
Firstly, the ceremony was inaugurated by Kamawut Dataw Monastery Nayaka Sayadaw Baddanta Panita Maha Tre, Union Minister Nai Thet Lwin, Chief Minister Dr Aye Zan, State Hluttaw Speaker Daw Tin Ei, State Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Min Kyi Win, and Chairman Min Banyar San  cutting ribbons. This was followed by hoisting the Mon National Flag and attendees saluted the Union Flag and Mon National Flag and Mon martyrs.
Next, Sayadaw Baddanta Katumalar delivered the opening ceremony.
After this, Union Minister Nai Thet Lwin read the Message of Greetings from State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of 73rd Mon National Day, and the State Chief Minister delivered a speech.
Next, Committee Chairman Min Banyar San delivered a speech and an official read the messages of greetings sent for the occasion.
Next, the Committee Chairman conferred certificates of honor upon Sayadaw Baddanta Panita Maha Tre and Nai Pan Aung for their assistance in Mon National Day affairs over the course of many years.
After the ceremony, the Union Minister and officials observed the Mon traditional exhibition on display.
In the evening session of 73rd Mon National Day commemorations, Committee Chairman Min Banyar San first gave a speech and the New Mon State Party Chairman delivered an address.
Next, the Central Committee for Organizing 73rd Mon National Day expressed words of gratitude.
This was followed by a reading session on Mon literature, an explanation on the terrestrial poster for Mon National Day, a round of discussions on Mon youth affairs, conferring awards for literature competition for Mon National Day and certificates of honor on donors.
Mon National Day is based on the time the Hanthawaddy Kingdom was founded by the two Mon brothers, Samala and Wimala, on the 1st Waning of Tabodwe, 1116 ME. It is celebrated where large Mon populations live, such as Kayin State and Yangon, Mandalay, Taninthayi and Ayeyawady regions.
The 73rd Mon National Day was also celebrated at People’s Park in Yangon Region, Sasanna 2500 Damayone in Chanmyathazi Township of Mandalay Region, Kin Pun Chone Village of Toungoo and Shwe Maw Daw Damayone of Bago in Bago Region, in five townships of Yebyu Township in Taninthayi Region, in Pathein of Ayeyawady Region, and in Eindi Village and Pawkyugon Village Kawkareik City of Hpa-An Township in Kayin State.
Messages from the State Counsellor and the Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs were sent to all of these commemorations. 

MNA
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
PHOTO: MNA
Ref; The Global New Light Of Myanmar