Conferring "Sithu" Title : Acting President conferred the Sithu Title

On January 4, 2026, The Acting President Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, conferred the honorary titles and medals upon members of the members of Sangha and lay persons who have performed excellent service to the State or demonstrated outstanding gallantry in national defense and security duties.

Among the recipients was the Presiding Sayadaw of Kyaing Yin Monastery in Kyaing Tong, the Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Khemasara. On the morning of January 19, a ceremony to offer the "Sithu" title and insignia to the centenarian Sayadawgyi was held at the Dhamma Hall of Kyaing Yin Monastery.

The Acting President attended the ceremony to personally present the title. Initially, the Acting President and attendees took the Five Precepts from the State Ovadacariya Tu-Ya Monastery Sayadaw in Kyaing Tong. Subsequently, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture, U Tin Oo Lwin, read the formal citation regarding the conferment of the "Sithu" title and insignia upon the Sayadawgyi Bhaddanta Khemasara.

The Acting President then personally offered the "Sithu" title, the insignia, offertories, and cash donations to the Sayadaw. In return, the Sayadaw presented a Dhamma gift to the Acting President. Following this, the Commission Secretary and other attendees donated offertories to the invited members of the Sangha.

Upon completion of the offering, the members of Sangha recited the Metta Sutta and other Parittas. In his discourse, the Sayadaw Bhaddanta Khemasara noted that in reviewing the history of Myanmar from the Bagan era to the Konbaung dynasty, there is no precedent of a government conferring a high-ranking state title upon such an elderly Sayadaw.

He remarked that this event marks a unique historical record for both himself and the governing administration. The Sayadaw shared that he has now reached the age of 101 years and expressed great joy and pride that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing traveled in person to confer the "Sithu" title.

He concluded wishing the Acting President and all citizens health, happiness, success in their endeavors, and the fulfillment of their noble aspirations. Afterwards, the Acting President and attendees listened to a sermon from the Presiding Sayadaw of the Thathana Wai-pulla Pariyatti Monastery and shared the merits gained from the ceremony, it’s reported.