Chief says military burial for Ratu Epeli Ganilau

Former army commander Ratu Epeli Ganilau, who died last Tuesday, will be accorded a military funeral when he is laid to rest on Friday.

Taveuni chief Ratu Jo Lewenilovo said Ratu Epeli’s casket would be carried by soldiers from the wharf at Naiyalayala when it arrives on Thursday to his chiefly home at Vuniduva in Somosomo Village.

“Only the military officers will handle the casket until his burial on Friday,” he said.

“We are expecting a huge number of military personnel to be here for the funeral and they will bring the casket to the Methodist church in the village for the 10am service, then to Vuniduva for burial ceremony.

“No one else will handle the casket except the military personnel because Ratu Epeli was the colonel of the Regiment of the Third Battalion.”

Ratu Jo said the reguregu ceremony had started in Suva yesterday and would end today.

“The gathering in Suva is held at the FNU’s catering school in Nasese and the military is also in charge of that,” he said.

“The vanua is prepared here on Taveuni and we have also informed the Vunivalu na Tui Kaba Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa and Adi Koila Nailatikau for the vanua of Lau.”