When is Ratu Sukuna Day?
Ratu Sukuna Day is a national public holiday in Fiji from 2023. It was celebrated on the last Monday in the month of May in 2023, and the last Friday in May in 2024.
The date for the 2024 public holiday was confirmed after consultation with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts.
The public holiday aims to inform Fijians of the instrumental role Ratu Sukuna played towards nation-building.
History of Ratu Sakuna Day
Ratu Sukuna Day is a national public holiday commemorated annually to celebrate the life and service of Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vana'ali'ali Sukuna (22 April 1888 – 30 May 1958) to Fiji.
Ratu Sukuna was once considered the national father of modern Fiji and also a respected statesman and paramount chief of Lau.
Prior to 2023, it was a gazetted public holiday until 2010 when Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama declared both Ratu Sukuna Day and National Youth Day would no longer be considered public holidays.
In his first live public address since becoming prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka announced that he will reinstate Ratu Sukuna Day, saying: “We will reinstate Ratu Sukuna Day. The monumental work of this illustrious traditional leader on land reform has had a continuing beneficial effect on the landowners, the economy, the sugar industry, business and investment.
