Jona Senilagakali
Encyclopedia
Dr Jona Baravilala Senilagakali (8 November 1929 – 26 October 2011) was a medical doctor and diplomat who was seventh Prime Minister of Fiji
. He resigned as Prime Minister on 5 January 2007, but on 8 January he was appointed interim Minister for Health. He lost that position during a Cabinet reshuffle on January 4, 2008.
on the main island of Viti Levu
, where he studied from 1945 to 1950, when he enrolled in the Fiji School of Medicine
. After graduating in 1954, he was employed in the health service from 1954 to 1963, serving such diverse locations as Lautoka
and Levuka
. In 1964, he took time out to study orthopedic surgery in Melbourne
, Australia
, and at the Vellore Christian Medical College Hospital in India
.
On his return to Fiji in 1968, he was employed as a consultant surgeon at Labasa
hospital, before becoming a lecturer at his alma mater
in 1970, a position he held for three years. From 1974 to 1978 he served as Director of Medical Services, and from 1978 to 1981 as Permanent Secretary for Health. He was President of the Fiji Medical Association from 1970 to 1974 and from 2005 to the present. He was also the "public member" of the disciplinary committee of the Fiji Law Society
from 1998 to 2006.
Senilagakali is considered by some to be the best known and respected medical practitioner in the nation, having previously been the president of the Fiji Medical Association, before becoming the medical doctor to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
.
before becoming Consul General to Los Angeles
, a position he held until 1985. After a brief stint as a roving ambassador to Pacific Islands Forum
countries, he became Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office in 1986. His last office in the public service was as Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to which he was appointed in 1987.
, who Bainimarama had ousted, was worse. He said that he had been ordered by Bainimarama to take the position of prime minister and that his appointment had surprised him. He also said new elections could be as long as two years away.
The Great Council of Chiefs does not recognise his position, and instead still recognises Laisenia Qarase
.
On his first full day as Prime Minister, Senilagakali received a hostile reception at the graduation ceremony of the Fiji School of Medicine
. The Fiji Times
reported that an unnamed faculty member, who is also a chief, had told him that his agreeing to head a military puppet government was disgraceful and unworthy of the school. He left before the ceremony began.
Bainimarama announced Senilagakali's resignation on January 4, 2007; President Josefa Iloilo
, whose powers were restored by Bainimarama on the same day, appointed Bainimarama as prime minister the next day. Senilagakali was then sworn in as health minister on January 8.
, Fiji's largest Christian
denomination, he brushed aside reported opposition from the church to the Military takeover, saying that he was very active in the church both as a lay-preacher and as the translator of the church's constitution
. He told the Fiji Live
news service that he had translated the church constitution from English
to Fijian
all by himself, between 1987 and 1989. He is also the chief steward of the Yarawa Methodist Church, and served on the standing committee of the Methodist conference from 1989 to 2002.
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
. He resigned as Prime Minister on 5 January 2007, but on 8 January he was appointed interim Minister for Health. He lost that position during a Cabinet reshuffle on January 4, 2008.
Education
Senilagakali was educated at Lau Provincial School and subsequently at Queen Victoria SchoolQueen Victoria School (Fiji)
Queen Victoria School is a school in Fiji, established in 1906.The school was originally established in Nasinu to provide education to the sons of Fijian Chiefs...
on the main island of Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
, where he studied from 1945 to 1950, when he enrolled in the Fiji School of Medicine
Fiji School of Medicine
The Fiji School of Medicine is a tertiary institution based in Suva, Fiji. Originally established in 1885 as the Suva Medical School. After merger with leading institutions in 2010, FSM is now called called College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences under Fiji National University. It striving...
. After graduating in 1954, he was employed in the health service from 1954 to 1963, serving such diverse locations as Lautoka
Lautoka
Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji and the second largest in the South Pacific. It is in the west of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometres north of Nadi, and is the second port of entry in Fiji, after Suva. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane growing region, it is known as the Sugar...
and Levuka
Levuka
Levuka is a town on the eastern coast of the Fijian island of Ovalau, in Lomaiviti Province, in the Eastern Division of Fiji. It was formerly the Capital of Fiji. At the census in 2007, the last to date, Levuka town had a population of 1,131 , about half of Ovalau's 8,360 inhabitants...
. In 1964, he took time out to study orthopedic surgery in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and at the Vellore Christian Medical College Hospital in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
On his return to Fiji in 1968, he was employed as a consultant surgeon at Labasa
Labasa
Labasa is a town in Fiji with a population of 27,949 at the most recent census held in 2007.Labasa is located in Macuata Province, in the north-eastern part of the island of Vanua Levu, and is the largest town on the island. The town itself is located on a delta formed by three rivers - the...
hospital, before becoming a lecturer at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
in 1970, a position he held for three years. From 1974 to 1978 he served as Director of Medical Services, and from 1978 to 1981 as Permanent Secretary for Health. He was President of the Fiji Medical Association from 1970 to 1974 and from 2005 to the present. He was also the "public member" of the disciplinary committee of the Fiji Law Society
Fiji Law Society
The Fiji Law Society is the official body that registers and regulates the activity of all lawyers in Fiji. Devanesh Sharma was elected to replace Graeme Leung as President of the Fiji Law Society on 9 September 2006, and as such he holds membership ex officio on the Judicial Service Commission...
from 1998 to 2006.
Senilagakali is considered by some to be the best known and respected medical practitioner in the nation, having previously been the president of the Fiji Medical Association, before becoming the medical doctor to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Military of Fiji
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces are the military of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of 3,500 active soldiers and 6,000 reservists, it is one of the smallest militaries in the world. However, most of its surrounding island nations have no militaries at all...
.
Diplomatic career and public service
From 1981 to 1983, Senilagakali served as a counsellor for the Fijian Embassy to TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
before becoming Consul General to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, a position he held until 1985. After a brief stint as a roving ambassador to Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum...
countries, he became Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office in 1986. His last office in the public service was as Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to which he was appointed in 1987.
As Prime Minister
After becoming prime minister, Senilagakali acknowledged that the coup was illegal but justified it by claiming that the "illegal activity" of the government of Laisenia QaraseLaisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment...
, who Bainimarama had ousted, was worse. He said that he had been ordered by Bainimarama to take the position of prime minister and that his appointment had surprised him. He also said new elections could be as long as two years away.
The Great Council of Chiefs does not recognise his position, and instead still recognises Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment...
.
On his first full day as Prime Minister, Senilagakali received a hostile reception at the graduation ceremony of the Fiji School of Medicine
Fiji School of Medicine
The Fiji School of Medicine is a tertiary institution based in Suva, Fiji. Originally established in 1885 as the Suva Medical School. After merger with leading institutions in 2010, FSM is now called called College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences under Fiji National University. It striving...
. The Fiji Times
Fiji Times
The Fiji Times is a daily English-language newspaper published in Suva, Fiji. Established in Levuka on 4 September 1869, it is Fiji's oldest newspaper still operating....
reported that an unnamed faculty member, who is also a chief, had told him that his agreeing to head a military puppet government was disgraceful and unworthy of the school. He left before the ceremony began.
Bainimarama announced Senilagakali's resignation on January 4, 2007; President Josefa Iloilo
Josefa Iloilo
Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, MSD, KStJ was the President of Fiji from 2000 until 2009, excluding a brief period from 5 December 2006 until 4 January 2007 . He held the traditional title of Tui Vuda, the paramount chief of the Vuda district in Ba Province on Fiji's northwest coast...
, whose powers were restored by Bainimarama on the same day, appointed Bainimarama as prime minister the next day. Senilagakali was then sworn in as health minister on January 8.
Religious beliefs and activities
A lay preacher in the Methodist Church of Fiji and RotumaMethodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma
The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is the largest Christian denomination in Fiji, with 36.2 percent of the total population at the 1996 census...
, Fiji's largest Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
denomination, he brushed aside reported opposition from the church to the Military takeover, saying that he was very active in the church both as a lay-preacher and as the translator of the church's constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
. He told the Fiji Live
Fiji Live
Fijilive is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder....
news service that he had translated the church constitution from English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
to Fijian
Fijian language
Fijian is an Austronesian language of the Malayo-Polynesian family spoken in Fiji. It has 450,000 first-language speakers, which is less than half the population of Fiji, but another 200,000 speak it as a second language...
all by himself, between 1987 and 1989. He is also the chief steward of the Yarawa Methodist Church, and served on the standing committee of the Methodist conference from 1989 to 2002.