The four men including Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) de-facto leader in London, A.C.Shanthan who were charged for funding and procurement for terrorism in Sri Lanka were produced in the City of Westminster Magistrates' court and were remanded in custody until 23rd of May.

A fifth man is also charged in the same case, but the Scotland Yard refused to give his name.

The men were arrested in London, Wales and Swindon last week in dawn raids. And from remand custody they were produced in the main Criminal Court of the Old Bailey on May 23, a spokesperson for the Scotland Yard said.

According to the charges the suspects are accused of possessing laptops, antennas and high-powered magnets for terrorist purposes.

A Scotland Yard spokesman earlier said the arrests of the men, aged 33, 39, 46 and 51, were part of a long-term investigation into support for overseas terrorism in Sri Lanka.

The suspects who were produced in the courts were: Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar, also known as AC Shanthan, 51, of Norbury, south London

Jegatheswaran Muraleetharan, also known as Muralee Tharan, 46, of Newtown, Powys

Jeyatheswaran Vythyatharan, also known as Vithy Tharan, 39, of Newtown, Powys

Murugesu Jegatheeswaran, also known as M Jegan, 33, of Mitcham, south London.

The men are charged with conspiring to receive equipment for terrorist purposes between January 2003 and December 2006.

The equipment they are accused of possessing also included head torches, radios and navigation systems.

A fifth man has already been charged in connection with the investigation, Scotland Yard said. They refused to release his name