Sri Lanka's Attorney-General has informed a local court that a senior former military officer and close associate of the former Army Chief, Sarath Fonseka, is involved in the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge, founder Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Leader .
Wickrematunge was killed in January last in broad day light. The case has been cited by critics of the government as a perfect example of culture of impunity.
According to BBC Sinhala service, the Attorney-General in his written submission has said Brigadier Duminda Keppetiwalana was involved in the murder and the attempt on another senior journalist, Upali Tennakoon.
The Brigadier is among several of the senior military, serving and retired, who have been accused of plotting to overthrow the Mahinda Rajapaksa government under the leadership of General (retired) Fonseka.
The Attorney-General made the submission in response to the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by Brigadier Keppetiwalana against his continuous detention. The BBC has quoted the Attorney-General as telling the court that the Brigadier's involvement is revealed through phone records.
The Supreme Court has granted permission to further detain Brigadier Keppetiwalana, under emergency regulations, until April 29.
Over 50 military personnel, serving and retired officers, were arrested after the January 26 presidential election on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government together with main opposition candidate, General (retired) Sarath Fonseka.
More than 23 of them were later released by the courts. Brigadier Keppetiwalana is the senior most serving military officer to be arrested.
General Fonseka is being tried by two separate courts martial on charges of involving in politics while in uniform and corruption in procurements.
