The GSP+ concession from the European Union would definitely be given to Sri Lanka by next week, President Maithripala Sirisena says.

The observation was made while he was speaking at an event held in Kandy on Friday.

Meanwhile, the President while addressing another gathering has dismissed as “dream” the claim by his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa that he would make a political comeback by toppling the current government this year.

“Certain people can dream but the government would not be toppled before 2020,” Sirisena said.

“The government could only be changed by the public at the next election. There will be no action to violate the law and violate the constitution,” Sirisena stressed, referring to Rajapaksa’s recent comments that the Joint Opposition of his supporters could change the government through a roll in the head count in parliament.

“People who tasted power by abusing all privileges are keen to see the government toppled. I clearly tell them that there will be no room for that without public approval,” he underlined.

Sirisena said 2017 would be important to Sri Lanka in its economic revival and development. “We have planned for development projects with international cooperation,” he said.

Earlier this week, Wickremesinghe challenged Rajapaksa to topple the current government, saying: “I will be going next week to Switzerland for one week giving Mahinda time to bring the government down.” (With inputs from PTI)