- Faimalaga Luka
His Excellency Faimalaga Luka (
1940 -August 19 2005 ) was a political figure from thePacific nation ofTuvalu . He served as Governor-General and Prime Minister ofTuvalu .Background
He was a broadcaster and politician, spending 40 years in the civil service and in politics [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/issue/2005/10/01/people-briefs Pacific Magazine] ] , serving in roles including Minister for Health in 1994-1996.
Prime Minister
He became
Prime Minister of Tuvalu from24 February 2001 after the previous Prime Minister,Ionatana Ionatana , died of a heart attack in December 2000. [http://www.freedomhouse.org/modules/mod_call_dsp_country-fiw.cfm?year=2006&country=7079 Freedom House] ]Within a year of taking office, Luka lost a vote of no confidence on
14 December 2001 and was forced to resign as Prime Minister, being replaced byKoloa Talake .peaker of Parliament; Governor-General
In June 2003 he became Speaker of Parliament, although an opposition MP at the time. [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=5191 Radio New Zealand International, "Tuvalu has new speaker"] ]
Luka was appointed as Governor-General on
9 September 2003 , as the representative of HMQueen Elizabeth II , who isTuvalu 'shead of state . He retired on15 April 2005 after reaching his 65th birthday. Tuvalu, unlike most countries, has a mandatory retirement age for all civil servants.Historical note: Luka was the only
Governor-General of Tuvalu not to accept a Knighthood. The practice of a Governor-General accepting a Knighthood was resumed by Luka's successor to that office, SirFiloimea Telito .Death
He died on
August 19 ,2005 inFiji where he had been referred for medical treatment. [ [http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2007/March/tcp-tv.htm PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT - Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006] ]ee also
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Politics of Tuvalu References
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