Jona Senilagakali

Jona Baravilala Senilagakali ( born November 8, 1929 in Waciwaci, Lakeba; † 26 October 2011) was a Fijian doctor, politician and diplomat.

Life

Senilagakali visited the Lau Provincial School and later moved to Viti Levu, to go to school there. After he had visited the port from 1945 to 1950, the Queen Victoria School in Tailevu, he began to study medicine at the Fiji School of Medicine. Four years later he graduated as a doctor of medicine as well as a surgeon.

Senilagakali now worked from 1954 to 1963 in various hospitals. In 1964 he left Fiji to educate yourself in Melbourne and at the Vellore Christian Medical College Hospital in India in orthopedic surgery. In 1968 he returned to Fiji and was at the Labasa Hospital operates. Two years later he moved to the Fiji School of Medicine to work as a lecturer.

In the second half of the 1970s began Senilagakali politically, especially in health issues to get involved. In 1981 he was Counsellor at the Embassy of Fiji in Tokyo. In 1983 he was Consul General in Los Angeles. After he represented Fiji in the Pacific Islands Forum. In 1986 he was permanent secretary in the Prime Minister's Office. 1988 Senilagakali retired.

After the military coup on 5 December 2006 Senilagakali was temporarily employed as Prime Minister. He remained until January 5, 2007 at the office. His successor was Frank Bainimarama.

In addition Senilagakali served from 2005 to 2007 as President of the Fiji Medical Association. He has held this office from 1970 to 1974.

In addition, he was an active member of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. He worked as a lay preacher and was chief steward of Yarawa Methodist Church. In 1990 he translated the constitution of his church from English in Fiji.

Senilagakali was married and had five children.