Above: St Kitts (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Kitts and Nevis Governor General Sir Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian will be retiring effective Jan. 1, Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas announced Tuesday.

Montraville has served as Governor General for 17 years.

“On behalf of the government and people of our federation, I extend this expression of heartfelt gratitude to Sir Cuthbert who, from the earliest days of this Administration, has delivered the very highest standards of service to the state,” Douglas said. “Sir Cuthbert, as we all know, had built an illustrious career as a medical doctor prior to assuming the role of Governor General on January 1, 1996, and we thank him most sincerely for his many contributions to our nation throughout his long and impressive career.”

Douglas also announced that Sir Edmund Lawrence, the managing director of the St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, will succeed Montraville in the post.

“We are honoured, therefore, that Sir Edmund has agreed to serve our nation in this capacity, and on behalf of the government and people of our nation, look forward to his assumption of these new and important duties,” Douglas said.