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Speaker of Parliament and the Turaga Na Tui Cakau the Hon. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu gave his consent for the repatriation of the body of the late Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu VC during a solemn traditional Fijian ceremony that was held in Parliament yesterday.
A Government delegation, led by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Climate Change, Environment, Civil Service, Information, Public Enterprises and Veteran Affairs the Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and included the Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs the Hon. Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu, the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Lesi Korovavala, the Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Mr Pita Tagicakirewa, and other senior officials, requested the Hon. Ratu Naiqama, in his capacity as the Tui Cakau, for his consent to allow the Government to continue with the process of repatriation.
The Speaker of Parliament and the Turaga Tui Cakau said this is not an easy ceremony as it has an enormous significance given the self-sacrifice that Corporal Sukanaivalu VC made and the process that both the Governments of Fiji and Papua New Guinea will take to bring his remains home.
The Hon. Prime Minister stated that he has been thinking about this process for quite some time and also the relationship between Fiji and Papua New Guinea as the late Corporal Sukanaivalu is currently buried in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. He elaborated that this process has to be seen wholistically, similarly to when the Israelites took the remains of Joseph from Egypt back to Canaan.
The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Korovavala then briefed the Hon. Speaker on the steps they have taken so far and the respective Governments have been in contact to complete the whole process. A representative of the chiefly family from Yacata, Mr Nemani Tuifagalele, was invited by the Tui Cakau to be present during this occasion.
Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu VC who hails from Yacata, Cakaudrove, was the only Fijian soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces.
Corporal Sukanaivalu VC was enlisted through the ‘vanua’ in 1942.
-Ends- Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of itaukei Affairs
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