President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (Feb.17) advised political leaders and State officials to render an impeccable service to the country and its people after gaining a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities without thinking of elections or the remuneration they received.

He offered this advice when he presided over an initial discussion on the Nagamu Puravara development scheme of underprivileged housing schemes and tenement garden houses held at Temple Trees.

The Nagamu Puravara programme would be launched by President Rajapaksa centred round Colombo city on Sunday.

Under its first stage common amenities of 354 housing schemes and tenement garden houses would be fully upgraded.

This will include the development of sanitation facilities and common bathing spots, approach roads, garbage disposal and sewerage systems and improvement of electricity and water supply.

It has also been planned to clean up and maintain 42 km of roads in Colombo city concurrent to this programme and improve common amenities connected to flats.

The President has directed relevant institutions to complete the development programmes envisaged by the Nagamu Puravara programme within five weeks.