The Secretariat, in the heart of Yangon’s downtown, is one of the country’s most historically important buildings. It has played a crucial role in the administration of the country since its completion in 1905, but is most significant as the location where independence hero Bogyoke Aung San, seven members of his cabinet and a bodyguard were assassinated on July 19, 1947. Their deaths are commemorated each year on Martyrs’ Day.
The March 28 earthquake damaged many of the historic monasteries and pagodas that have made Inwa one of Myanmar’s most popular tourist draws, and tour guides are struggling to survive as the regime delays repairs to the broken monuments.
BY Frontier
