Who devilled the dance?
By Vanessa Sridharan
Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has ordered an inquiry into an incident where seven persons selected by the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry to visit Pakistan as a dance troupe had been allegedly ‘impersonated’ by seven others who had left on the tour.

Ministry Secretary Sunil Premadasa has been appointed to investigate the allegation. “This is a serious matter. We don’t know who these people are and how they managed to deceive officials and leave the country” Mr Abeywardena said. The minister last week said the Pakistan High Commission had rejected the troupe as the passports were not submitted in time.

However subsequent inquiries revealed seven others had left for Pakistan in their place. The Sunday Times learns the selected dance troupe members who were expected to be in Pakistan by November 8, had delayed to submit their passports on time, providing an opportunity for seven others to leave in their place.

Explaining the position the Pakistan High Commission said seven applicants who wanted to participate in the Visual Arts competition in Pakistan were granted a special visa free of cost. Besides these seven people no one else approached the High Commission, an official said.