Dr. Padma Lal, the wife of the late Professor Brij Lal says the homecoming of Professor Lal would not have been possible without the decision made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad and the newly elected Coalition government.
Dr Padma Lal and Professor Brij Lal were exiled from Fiji in 2009.
She says in 2010 she was also refused entry into the country at the Nadi international Airport when she returned to continue her employment.
Dr. Lal says her personal computer and phone were confiscated, taken to a local hotel, and kept overnight with the military guard without any contact with the outer world.
She says they were asked to apologize to the Bainimarama government for their ban to be lifted which they refused to do as they were supporting the principles of democracy.
Dr Lal adds the 12 years of being in exile, for a moment they lost hope of returning.
Dr. Lal also says that during those 12 years Professor Lal wrote several times to the department of immigration and the former Prime Minister's office as concerned citizens calling for the removal of the travel ban.
She says several attempts were also made to the parliament by the leader of the National Federation Party seeking clarification as to why they were banned and calling for their ban removal.
She says she was also refused to bring Professor Lal’s ashes to his home in Tabia, Labasa despite her several requests.
She says she is thankful and appreciates the promises made by Sitiveni Rabuka in bringing professor Brij Lal's ashes and his family to Fiji.
