Shwedagon Pagoda receives US$60m in donations

Minister Thura Aung Ko revealed the information to the media after the parliamentary session on February 28.
“The donations to Shwedagon Pagoda in Kyats totalled over 60 billion. I think it will exceed Ks 100 billion soon. This is cash only calculated in kyats. The pagoda received over 20 million kyats in dollars and other currencies. We have held a meeting to announce the pagoda money every three months. We’ve reformed the pagoda trustee.”
The standing laws specify that the donation to Shwedagon Pagoda must be spent only for the pagoda’s affairs. 
“First, we have to spend the money for the longevity of the pagoda. The pagoda’s security is very important. We’ve heard the rumours about terrorists planning to bomb the pagoda. So we will acquire modern security apparatus. Then, we will have to spend on facilities for the visitors. The toilets will be as clean as those in hotels. The pagoda compound floors will be redone with tile to protect the visitors from the heat during the day.”
The experts from Japan and France are conducting a survey to draw a master plan to conserve the pagoda, the minister added.
The ministry is also trying to have the pagoda designated as a world’s cultural heritage site.