10 Day Tour is first for Her Excellency, Sworn in now to serve His Majesty and the TCI 

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, July 1, 2023 – The interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands come first and already decided is a national familiarization tour, for the newly appointed governor to become directly acquainted with the islands and islanders.

In her first official, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam was poised, succinct and clear about expectations and her role as the 16th governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“I am acutely aware of some of the issues on your mind, in particular national security, the constitution, social development, and the economy. My meetings with elected representatives, communities, officials, and bodies over this coming month will equip me with what I need to focus my priorities to best serve the interest of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” she said.

Crime was high on the list of deliverables for the new governor and with a decades long background in law and overseeing courts, she promised a rework of the justice system to come.

“Tackling the present challenge of the safety of these Turk and Caicos Islands requires now more than ever a strong relationship between the police, partner agencies, and our communities that they serve. I will be working with all involved to address the stark levels of criminality and much needed justice reforms, ” she promised.

She thanked Anya Williams, Deputy Governor for her ‘admirable and dedicated service’ over the past three months in the role of Acting Governor and reflected on the preparation she had for the role in the last six months meeting with former Governor, Nigel Dakin and Williams herself.

Selvaratnam maintained that her time in Anguilla, which ended in May, had also prepared her well for the job.

“My previous role taught me much about the issues and challenges which Caribbean Territories face, and our relationship with the United Kingdom and the region more widely. I will build on that experience to deliver the constitutional responsibility I now come to bear.”

After her address, she was presented with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers by one of the island’s boy scouts and met each member of the House of Assembly personally escorted by Gordon Burton, Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Selvaratnam will spend the first 10 days of her tenure touring the Turks and Caicos and visiting each constituency; a tour she says she anticipates will help her serve the country better as she aims to meet as many residents as possible.

“As I make my way through each and every inhabited island, I will listen and I hope to begin to appreciate your rich and multifarious societies, to witness with my own eyes, the beauty and diversity of each of the Islands and to learn about the gains and the challenges these bring.”

She had been brought to the House of Assembly under honour guard led by Trevor Botting, Commissioner of Police.

Selvaratnam took her oaths just after 10:00 am at the House of Assembly, at HJ Robinson High School auditorium after which she was addressed by Premier Washington Misick and Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, both welcoming synergy and speaking bluntly about their own expectations.

“I’m sure each constituency is unique and only through meeting as many of you as possible can I begin to understand your respective concerns and ambitions for the islands and how I must shape my governorship,”  she said as she doubled down on her thrust to properly serve all islands and cays.