STATE HAUSKRAI FOR LATE SIR JULIUS DECLARED

By Nigel MADO

Prime Minister James Marape has officially declared a national week of mourning for the late Rt. Hon. Sir Julius Chan, a founding father of Papua New Guinea and former Governor of New Ireland Province. Flags across the country will be flown at half-mast throughout the week as the nation pays tribute to one of its most distinguished leaders.

“From a national government perspective, we are declaring one week of period of mourning,” Prime Minister Marape announced. “The country’s flag, wherever it is flown, will remain half-masted for one week.”

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the mourning period, during which Sir Julius Chan’s contributions to the nation will be formally honoured. The official state funeral arrangements are currently being coordinated with his family and community in Namatanai, New Ireland Province.

The late Rt. Hon. Sir Julius Chan, was described by Prime Minister Marape as the “architect of the nation’s financial structure,” leaves behind a legacy that shaped Papua New Guinea’s economic foundation.

“As our nation’s first finance minister, he birthed the concept of kina and toea, which became our national currency,” Marape said. “He was instrumental in the birth of our central bank and its independence, which exists up to today.”