Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillaiyan, had his bail application rejected by Batticaloa magistrates on Friday.
Mr Chandrakanthan, a former member of the LTTE who was embraced by the Sri Lankan government after he turned against the movement, is in custody over the killing of TNA parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham.
He was initially arrested on October 11. His next court hearing will take place on April 1.