Myanma Railways has selected a consortium led by Singapore-based Oxley Holdings to carry out a $2.5 billion redevelopment of the Yangon Central Railway Station. The project is expected to turn the station and surrounding area into a futuristic transportation hub along with commercial amenities and housing.

Thousands of people rally in front of Yangon’s City Hall in a show of support for the Tatmadaw, with participants waving national flags and military banners at a gathering with little precedent in a country formerly ruled by an oppressive junta.

A spokesperson for the religious affairs ministry said that local and township chapters of the Sangha Maha Nayaka have been instructed to stop the protests.

“Arakanese people would never join such a demonstration. It is damaging to ethnic unity and we denounce it," said a senior monk.

Thadingyut Festival marks the end of the Buddhist Lent with offerings of candles and other displays of light.

“There are still political prisoners behind bars despite the election of a civilian government," said Ashin Sandar Thiri, a spokesman for the monks.