Pakistan trip dashed for dance troupe

By Sachini Perera and Vanessa Sridharan

A youth group allege they were rejected after being selected through the Cultural Affairs Ministry to participate in a Visual Arts competition in Pakistan. They were seen protesting outside Sethsiripaya on Thursday.

“Usually there is a reserved list of performers that we send. But this year we decided to give a chance to others from rural areas,” said Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

“The troupe was expected in Pakistan by November 8 but the performers brought their passports only on November 2. Even now there is one person who hasn’t submitted his passport,” the Minister said. He said the troupe was rejected by the Pakistan High Commission as the passports were not submitted in time.

However, a Pakistan High Commission official said no such rejection took place.