Myanmar commemorates fallen national heroes

Myanmar held a ceremony here Sunday to commemorate fallen national heroes including General Aung San and eight others who sacrificed their lives for regaining the country's independence from the British colonial rule.

General Aung San was founder of Myanmar's armed forces.

On behalf of President U Thein Sein, Vice President Sai Mauk Kham paid tribute at the tombs of the martyrs in commemoration of the 68th Martyrs' Day, launched at the Martyrs' Mausoleum.

Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, laid wreathes at the tombs.

Those attending the commemorative function were Speaker of the Parliament and House of Representatives U Shwe Mann and Speaker of the House of Nationalities U Khin Aung Myint, parliament members, government ministers, Yangon Region chief minister and representatives of political parties.

Following the official ceremony, the martyrs' mausoleum was open to the public and Aung San's Museum also kept open for commemorative visit.

General Aung San, along with eight others including his bodyguard and seven councilor members, were all assassinated at Yangon's then Prime Ministers Office on July 19, 1947 before Myanmar regained independence on Jan. 4, 1948.

July 19 was designated a public holiday now known as Martyrs' Day in the country.

The previous Prime Ministers' Office in downtown Yangon was specially open to the public for commemorative visit this year.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy is scheduled to hold a separate function to mark the historical event in Yangon later on the day.