COLOMBO : The past era of creating racism and religious fanaticism for narrow political objectives and causing disunity in the country is now over, and the new government is committed to building a disciplined and civilized society where all communities can live together, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
The Minister emphasized this while participating as the Chief Guest at the 76th Anniversary General Assembly of the All Ceylon Young Men’s Muslim Association (All Ceylon YMMA Conference) at the Lotus Tower in Colombo on Sunday , June 28
Speaking further, Minister Vijitha Herath said that in the past, our economy collapsed and the country went bankrupt. He pointed out that although we had a golden opportunity to build the country with national unity after many years of bitter war, we deliberately created racism and religious intolerance in the post-war period for narrow political objectives and pushed the country back into disunity. However, the Minister emphasized that now there is no room for any such racial or religious conflict after 2024, and that in order to build the country’s economy, discipline, law and civilization, all of us, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Malays, must live together in harmony.
Minister Vijitha Herath pointed out that whether we are Muslims or Sinhalese, we are all human beings and there is no difference between us. The Minister also stated that we should all be united and together like children of the same mother, regardless of language, religion, caste or any other differences.
The Minister also appreciated the social welfare work performed by the All Ceylon Muslim Youth Association (YMMA) for over 70 years for all nationalities in the country. He also gratefully recalled that during the recent floods and cyclones, Muslim youth groups from Matara and Galle had shown the community the brotherhood of Islam by going to areas they did not know well such as Badulla and Malwana and providing voluntary relief services.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Rizvi Salih and the Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusuf, along with many distinguished guests, were present on this occasion.The meeting was chaired by the outgoing president Amhar Sheriff.while the annual report was presented the secretary Ihthisan Hussaindeen.
