Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Former Tuvalu PM Luka dies

Posted at 08:37 on 24 August, 2005 UTC

Tuvalu’s former Governor General and Prime Minister, Faimalaga Luka, has passed away in Fiji.

Radio Tuvalu reports that the late Mr Luka was referred to Fiji for medical treatment where he died last Friday.

The former Tuvalu leader, who was born in 1940, spent 40 years in the civil service and in politics.

Mr Luka was first elected to Parliament in September 1993 before he became minister for health from 1994 to 1996.

He became prime minister from 2000 until 2001.

He was the speaker of Parliament in 2003 and became Governor General before retiring early this year.

Prime Minister Matia Toafa has sent a condolence message to Mr Luka’s wife and family.

A state funeral will be held tomorrow in Funafuti.