The statement issued by the SNLD said that since civil war broke out after independence (in 1948) none of the groups fighting have shown any respect or trust towards each other so the conflict has just continued.

Sai Leik, a party spokesman said: “This is the 26th anniversary of the formation of our party. The party chairman U Khun Tun Oo cannot attend the anniversary but he has sent a formal message to all townships and areas saying that it is most important for the Union of Myanmar to be stable and for that the constitution must be reformed or redrawn.”

The anniversary of the SNLD, also known as the Tiger’s Head Party, was held in Saw-Bwar-Gyi Sub-Street off Pyay Road, Mayangone Township, Yangon on 26th October.

Representatives from 15 political parties with bases in Yangon attended the anniversary. Chairman Khun Tun Oo’s message was read out and a book about the political history of the SNLD was given to all those who attended.

People throughout Shan State supported the SNLD in the 1990 election. Although the party initially cooperated with the government and attended the 1993 national convention to draw up a new constitution it later resigned from the process because ethnic nationalities were not given equal rights.

U Khun Tun Oo and eight other SNLD leaders were arrested in 2005 and given very long prison sentences after being convicted of trying to split up the union and being in contact with illegal organisations. After U Thein Sein came to power in 2010 they were released in a prisoner amnesty in 2012 after which they rebuilt the SNLD.