Fiji moves to repatriate remains of Victoria Cross recipient Sukanaivalu from Papua New Guinea
In a historic step forward for Fiji, the remains of Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, the country’s only Victoria Cross recipient, are set to be repatriated from Papua New Guinea. The announcement follows decades of discussion and serves as a powerful act of remembrance for a soldier whose bravery is deeply etched in Fiji’s national story.
The process began with approval from the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, during a traditional ceremony at the Parliament Precinct, signaling the start of formal repatriation arrangements. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka led the government delegation and sought the speaker’s consent to proceed, highlighting the long-standing relationship between Fiji and PNG, given that Sukanaivalu is buried in Rabaul, East New Britain.
An Inter-Agency Committee to coordinate the repatriation, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been established to oversee the preparations, with a target timeline that includes bringing Sukanaivalu home in June 2025. Dr Lesi Korovavala, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has kept key officials in the loop on progress and the ongoing coordination between the two governments.
Sukanaivalu, who hailed from Yacata village in Cakaudrove, joined the Vanua in 1942 and became Fiji’s sole recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor awarded for valor by Commonwealth forces. He was killed in June 1944 on Bougainville Island while attempting to rescue wounded comrades, exposing himself to enemy fire before being struck by a machine gun burst. He is interred at the Bitapaka War Cemetery in East New Britain, alongside 32 other Fijian soldiers.
The repatriation effort comes against a backdrop of historical protocols governing war graves. In the mid-1970s, Papua New Guinea maintained that international war cemeteries were governed by Commonwealth rules, which limited removal of remains. This understanding, along with the administration of the cemeteries by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in London, shaped earlier discussions about bringing Sukanaivalu’s body home. Nevertheless, the plan to return his remains has continued to gain momentum as Fiji seeks to honor a national hero and strengthen ties with its Pacific neighbors.
The government has stressed that Sukanaivalu’s sacrifice continues to inspire and unite the nation. The forthcoming repatriation is expected to be marked by ceremonies and a moment of collective reflection on the valor and legacy of Fiji’s war veterans, as families and communities prepare to welcome him home.
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