This handout photo taken on May 24, 2021 and released by Myanmar's Ministry of Information on May 26 shows former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (left) and former president U Win Myint (right) during their first court appearance in Nay Pyi Taw. (MYANMAR MINISTRY OF INFORMATION / HANDOUT VIA AFP)

YANGON - Myanmar's State Administration Council on Tuesday granted pardons to over 7,000 prisoners and reduced sentences for former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and former president U Win Myint, according to the council's orders.

Six years of sentences for Suu Kyi and four years of sentences for U Win Myint were also reduced, the council said.

The council also remitted sentences for 7,749 Myanmar prisoners and 125 foreign prisoners, while commuting death sentences for some prisoners to life imprisonment, according to the orders.

READ MORE: Myanmar reshuffles cabinet after state of emergency extension

In addition, the council remitted the sentences for 22 members of the ethnic armed groups and also dismissed the cases related to 72 individuals who were in connection with ethnic armed groups, it said.

Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) decided on Monday to extend the state of emergency in the Southeast Asian country for another six months

The moves on the Dhammacakka Day, an important Buddhist day that falls on the full moon of second Waso lunar month of the Myanmar calendar, aims to please the public on the humanitarian ground, the council said, adding that the pardons were granted in view of ethnic unity and internal peace as well as in view of relations between the respective countries and Myanmar.

On May 3, Myanmar also pardoned more than 2,000 prisoners in an amnesty to mark the Vesak Day

Meanwhile, Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) decided on Monday to extend the state of emergency in the Southeast Asian country for another six months.

According to the council's statement signed by Acting President U Myint Swe, the emergency period was extended in accordance with Section 425 of the State Constitution for six more months starting from Aug 1.

The acting president said in the statement that the extension was made based on the discussions and decisions made by all NDSC members attending the council's meeting on Monday.

At the meeting held in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, the NDSC members agreed that it is still required to make extension to undertake the tasks for ensuring security to hold a free and fair election, citing that political parties preparing for election are facing security threats, the council's statement said.

This handout photo taken and released by Myanmar's Military Information Team on July 31, 2023, shows U Myint Swe (center), Myanmar's acting president, speaking during a National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. (PHOTO / MYANMAR'S MILITARY INFORMATION TEAM VIA AFP)

Those who attended the meeting also discussed matters related to conditions of preparation for the election, disturbances to preparation for the election, relief and resettlement being carried out after cyclone Mocha, and conditions for holding the election including security affairs, the statement added.

At the meeting, the acting president declared the extension of the state of emergency, and handed over the state power again to Chairman of the State Administration Council Min Aung Hlaing, who is also Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, it said.

Myanmar declared the state of emergency in February 2021 for one year before making three six-month extensions until July 31 this year.