The third phase of the one billion dollar central expressway, from Pothuhera to Kandy, was offered to Japanese contractors under Japanese line of credit.

Many Japanese construction companies were interested in the project, but the names of only three, including Taisei, were submitted by Hiroto Izumi, special adviser to the Japanese Prime minister.

He works very closely with Taisei Corporation and restricted the bidders with the connivance of Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank UFJ, which receives a success fee for the successful closure of a transaction.

The bidders were Taisei Corporation, Penta-Ocean Construction and Wakachiku Construction.

The other two companies were put in with Taisei Corporation to give credibility to the bid and to show there was competitive bidding.

But, neither made a bid when the tender was opened and the only bidder was Taisei Corporation.