The AG has advised that in the event she does not give a statement, police should file a report to serve notice for her to appear in court. In the event that she does not appear in court, a warrant for her arrest would be issued.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times learns that when the Borella Police visited the residence of Flt. Lt. Diyadawage in Nawala, she had allegedly fled through the back door, and as such they were unable to record her statement.

Ms. Diyadawage was with Air Force Commander Jayalath Weerakkody at the time his Peugeot 406 car collided with a lorry on June 15 around 4.15 am, when the Commander's car went through the D.S. Senanayake junction at Borella, failing to obey the traffic lights which showed the signal at red. The cleaner of the lorry who was seriously injured was rushed to hospital and died almost three weeks later.

Dengue down but not out
Dengue cases have been decreasing, but most cases go unreported due to a large number of patients suffering from asypmptomatic dengue, Epidemiology Unit Director Dr. T.A. Kulatillake said.

"We only see the tip of the iceberg, because 95% of the cases are asymptomatic. We keep records only of dengue haemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome and dengue fever," he said.

Most patients suffering from asymptomatic dengue are unaware as it is like any other viral flu.

More than 700 suspected dengue cases have been reported for this year with over 30 deaths.

However, the disease has seen a drastic decrease compared to last month, but continuous surveillance has been identified as vital in order to prevent the disease reaching epidemic levels.

Train travellers increase despite risks
Despite recent derailments and a spate of train mishaps, the increase in bus fares has made some commuters opt for train travel which is cheaper, leading to an increase in passengers in trains with resultant overcrowding, General Manager of Railways Priyal de Silva said.

Overcrowding has posed dangers due to the limited capacity of trains, Mr. De Silva said.

Meanwhile, mishaps have raised concerns among the public about the safety of train travel.

During the first week of this month alone, at least six derailments have been reported. On July 5, two trains were derailed - one arriving from Kandy which was derailed near Colombo Fort station blocking three other lines delaying the functioning of all other trains, while a 'rail bus' from Kurunegala to Maho was derailed between Nagollagama and Maho.

The cause of the derailment of the rail bus is reportedly due to the axle of the 'rail bus' breaking.

Meanwhile, the breakdown special which went to rerail the Badulla-Kandy train derailed between Talawakelle and Watagoda was itself derailed between Kotagala and Talawakelle.

Mr. De Silva said he was unable to give a reason for the derailments while railway officials say bad rail tracks were to be blamed 75% of the time.

Indian stake in railway?
By Nilika de Silva
Moves are underway to give over a controlling stake of the Sri Lankan Railways to an Indian corporation, in August this year, The Sunday Times learns.

The Indian partners would be given a fifty-one percent stake with the Governmant retaining the balance 49 percent.

At present an Indian company is in Sri Lanka to study the railway system to identify the problems and factors which are contributing to massive losses in the department.

The privatisation of the railways may be worked out line wise as has been done in certain countries.

The signalling and operating system is also to be awarded to foreign firms.

Initially discussions will be held with the railway unions and political parties in this regard.

State Transport Minister Upali Piyasoma said that no decision had been taken regarding the matter, though an Indian company has been studying the railway system.

Meanwhile, the Railway Authority Bill is to be sent to the Legal Draftsman and then presented to Parliament.

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