Remains of the late Cpl Sefanaia Sukanaivalu to be repatriated in June 2025 from PNG to Fiji

The remains of the late Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu (VC) is expected to be repatriated in June 2025 from Papua New Guinea to Fiji.

This has been endorsed by the Cabinet which has also endorsed the establishment of an Inter-Agency Committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to oversee the preparations of the repatriation process.

The late Cpl Sukanaivalu is Fiji’s lone Victoria Cross recipient, the highest and most prestigious decoration for valour in the British Armed Forces and it is awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy.

He is originally from Yacata Village, Cakaudrove, and is buried along with 32 other Fijian soldiers at the Bitapaka War Cemetery in the province of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

The repatriation of the remains of Cpl Sukanaivalu (VC) is expected to be a national event.