Adm Wijeguneratne denies the charges. Photo: BBC News

Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijeguneratne appeared in court after warrants for his arrest were issued.

Prosecutors say he protected the main suspect, a naval intelligence officer who allegedly murdered 11 young men in the final stages of the conflict with separatist Tamil rebels in 2008-09.

The officer is in custody. Admiral Wijeguneratne denies the allegations.

The court in the capital, Colombo remanded, him in custody until 5 December.

Three warrants for his arrest were ordered in early November, but it took the admiral until now to present himself before the magistrates court, dressed in his military uniform and flanked by navy officers and supporters.

His application for bail was rejected. Several journalists say they were attacked while covering proceedings.

Tens of thousands of Tamils - and the rebel leadership - were killed at the end of the conflict, in which both sides were accused of atrocities.

Human rights groups have long called for prosecutions, but there have been none so far.

The naval officer the admiral is accused of protecting was detained in August. The bodies of the 11 young men, most of them Tamils, have never been found.