They freely told us that they were here to make a movie featuring Belize's blue hole. Still, there were legitimate concerns that the 11 were trying to traffic through Belize, presumably to get to the USA or Canada.

First off, they came on one way tickets. That's usually enough to get anyone returned to sender, and the Immigration Department was about to do just that. But the Film Commission stepped in and basically vouched for them.

But, tonight, the Commission has egg on its face, or, as the case may be, curried egg - because the Sri Lankans not only failed to come up with any money to make a movie, they also have no way to pay the four thousand US dollars each for their plane tickets home. So today, the immigration department rolled up to Coningsby Inn - where they've also racked up a large bill - pulled out their suitcases, then gathered dup the 11 Sri Lankans and stuffed them in an immigration van to take them all over to the Magistrate's court.

They were charged for supplying false information to the Immigration officer by telling him they were here to make a film. They pleaded guilty to the charge and were each fined $350.00. They were ordered to pay the fine forthwith or in default serve three months in prison. They were unable to pay the fine, so they were taken to prison.