Myanmar marks anniversary of murder of Aung San

Myanmar's civilian and military leaders joined together on Sunday in Yangon to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the murder of the country's independence hero.

Aung San died in a hail of bullets during a meeting with his cabinet, in July 1947, just months before the country – then called Burma – achieved its freedom from British colonial rule.

Members of his cabinet also died in the attack.

In Sunday's solemn annual ceremony the country's current leader, Aung San Suu Kyi – Aung San's daughter – paid her respects at the mausoleum where his remains are entombed.

She was followed by the country's powerful armed forces commander, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who was accompanied by President Win Myint and Vice-President Myint Swe.

All wore face masks, in line with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Myanmar emerged from decades of military dictatorship, in the last few years, with an election in 2015 returning it to democracy.

But the military still retains significant power through provisions in the country's constitution, which it authored.

The constitution is a prime source of tension between the military and the civilian government.

A general election will be held later this year in November.