Leaders with vision to manage conflicts

Performance Evaluation to Prevent Conflicts:  President Fidel Castro is no more. He was a leftist & anti US. President Jayewardene (JR) (UNP) was vice versa (hence known ‘Yankee Dicky” to some).  Despite politics JR evaluated Fidel’s performance diplomatically strengthening undisturbed Cuban assistance to Sri Lanka during the Jayewardene rule which experienced many negative approaches towards leftist parties in Sri Lanka.

Year	Event
1979	In September 1979, JR handed the Chair of the Non Aligned Movement to Cuba which Sri Lanka held since 1976. In his speech, JR said below to Fidel (source: Department of Information, Sri Lanka); “We have all discovered that among your people you are affectionately known as Companero, a Spanish word which means a mixture of companion & comrade. Throughout your leadership of Cuba, your attitude as seen in your writings, statements, & interviews has been that a nation’s progress can & must be achieved through ceaseless effort directed at bringing the greatest good to the greatest number. I am convinced that at the end of our deliberations in Havana, & beyond, we will realize & remember that we are all Companeros, despite those differences of approach & emphasis that are inevitable in a movement as large & diverse as ours. We are all comrades in struggles against forces that impede the progress of our peoples. Having heard & seen you, Your Excellency Fidel Castro, I can understand how the people of this country follow you & made you their leader. You & I have the same ideals. We may not agree on the methods of attaining them & the path to be followed. I am convinced that your own life is part of the contemporary history not only of Cuba, but of the world”.
2016	The year is coming to a close, most come across performance evaluations & appraisals. Every citizen contributes to hire employees to manage societies without conflicts, usher development & increase quality of life. By analyzing leaders such as Fidel & JR we can learn; how employees have performed, whether to promote or demote or replace.

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016