COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Sri Lanka's Supreme Court denied a petition seeking the release of retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who was arrested after he lost in the presidential election.
The court said the military, which is holding Fonseka after accusing him of conspiracy, is yet to complete its inquiry, the Press Trust of India reported.
Fonseka was defeated in the Jan. 26 election by incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both of them were hailed as heroes after the military defeated the Tamil Tigers last May, ending the rebels' 26-year-long rebellion for a separate homeland for the Tamil speaking minority in the island nation.
Fonseka and Rajapaksa later fell out, leading the two to become opponents in the election.
The BBC reported the petition for the release of Fonseka, who is being held at the naval headquarters, was filed by his wife, Anoma.
While the government wants him to face a military court, Fonseka says he is retired and therefore only civilian laws can be applied. The next hearing is set for April 26.
Separately, The Hindu newspaper reported announcement by Anoma Fonseka of the formation of the Democratic National Alliance to be led by her husband ahead of general elections set for April 8.
