At least 53, including military officers, Fonseka supporters were arrested after the election

The officers, including Brig Duminda Keppetiwalana, were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Champa Janaki Rajaratne by police Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

The government earlier accused Brig Keppetiwalana of involved in the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickramathunga, in January 2009.

In a joint statement to the magistrate, all six suspects rejected the accusations.

Lasantha Wickramathunga

Answering questions from the magistrate, the suspects said they were not involved in any crime.

The group includes Gen Fonseka's secretary, Senaka de Silva.

In a separate statement, Brig Keppetiwalana said it is unfair to treat him like this despite fighting against the LTTE to safeguard the motherland.

He was sent on compulsory leave after the arrest, he added. But the TID officers told the court that it is essential to keep them in custody as investigations are continuingagainst the suspects.

The court then allowed the police to detain them until 26 March.

At least 53 supporters of Gen Sarath Fonseka, many of them serving or retired military officials, were arrested by the police after the 26 January presidential election.

A retired Major General is also among them. The courts had released at least 23 of them.