Addressing the 76th Annual General Meeting of the All Ceylon Young Men's Muslim Association (YMMA) in Colombo, the Minister said the era of exploiting ethnic and religious divisions for narrow political gain had come to an end.
Reflecting on Sri Lanka's recent history, Herath noted that the country's economic crisis and the failure to achieve meaningful national reconciliation after the war were the result of political leaders promoting racism and religious extremism for personal and political interests.
He stressed that there should be no room for ethnic or religious conflict in Sri Lanka after 2024, emphasizing that rebuilding the economy, restoring discipline, and strengthening the rule of law require the united efforts of all communities, including Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, and Malays.
"Whether Muslim or Sinhalese, we are all human beings. There is no difference between us. Regardless of language, religion or caste, we must stand together like children of one mother," the Minister said.
Herath also commended the All Ceylon Young Men's Muslim Association for its more than seven decades of service to communities across the country.
He further praised Muslim youth volunteer groups that travelled from the South to assist flood- and storm-affected communities in remote areas, describing their humanitarian efforts as a practical demonstration of the values of brotherhood and compassion promoted by Islam.
The Minister said fostering unity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility among all communities remains essential for Sri Lanka's future development and lasting social harmony.
