Yangon, Jul 19 (IANS): Myanmar held the first state-level Martyrs' Day ceremony in more than two decades here Thursday in the presence of the government leadership to commemorate fallen national heroes General Aung San and eight others who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence in the late 1940s.

The ceremony, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum underneath the Shwedagon Pagoda, was attended by Vice President Sai Mauk Kham, among others, Xinhua reported.

Following Sai Mauk Kham was Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of General Aung San, who laid a wreath.

Also attending the function were also Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint, leaders of political parties and social organizations as well as foreign diplomats.

General Aung San was the founder of Myanmar's armed forces in the period when Myanmar was fighting for independence from the British.

General Aung San, along with eight other martyrs including his then bodyguard and seven
councilor members, were all assassinated at Prime Minister's Office in Yangon July 19, 1947 before Myanmar regained independence Jan 4, 1948.