Faimalaga Luka

Faimalaga Luka, OBE (15 April 1940 – 19 August 2005) was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Nukufetau in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He served as Governor-General and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

Background

He was a broadcaster and politician, spending 40 years in the civil service and in politics, serving in roles including Minister for Health from 1994 to 1996 and Minister of Home Affairs from 1999 to 2001. He was married to Sikiona Luka.

In the 1995 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for public service.

Prime minister

After the death of Prime Minister Ionatana on 8 December 2000, Lagitupu Tuilimu was acting prime minister, and foreign minister, from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001. Faimalaga Luka became the prime minister, and foreign minister, on 23 February 2001 and was sworn in the next day with a reshuffled cabinet. Luka's government lasted until December 2001, when he lost office as the consequence of a motion of no confidence.

Speaker of Parliament

In June 2003 he became speaker of parliament, although an opposition MP at the time.

Governor-General

Luka was appointed as Governor-General on 9 September 2003, as the representative of Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu. He retired on 15 April 2005, after reaching his 65th birthday. Tuvalu, unlike most countries, has a mandatory retirement age for all civil servants.

Declines a knighthood

Luka was the only Governor-General of Tuvalu not to accept a knighthood.

Death

Luka died on 19 August 2005, in Fiji where he had been referred for medical treatment.