Palmes Academiques for Professor Osmund Bopearachchi

The Ambassador of France in Sri Lanka and in Maldives, Jean-Bernard de Vaivre honoured Professor Osmund Bopearachchi, internationally renowned archaeologist, through the title of 'Palmes Academiques' in Colombo on August 24.

Professor Osmund Bopearachchi is a Sri Lankan born scholar now living in France. He is the Director of Research and Director of Hellenism and Oriental Civilizations at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France (CNRS). Professor Bopearachchi, member of the Ecole Doctoral is in charge of the Department of Central Asian and Indian Archaeology & Numismatics at the University of Paris IV Sorbonne.

Professor Bopearachchi was awarded the Gustave Mendel Award attributed by the French Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres on January 24, 1992, for the best Corpus: Monnaies Grecobactriennes et indo-grecques - Catalogue raisonne, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, 1991 and also 'The Lhotka Memorial Prize' attributed on December 1993, by the Royal Numismatic Society, for the publication of: The Crossroads of Asia. Transition in Image and Symbol in the art of the Ancient Afghanistan and Pakistan Cambridge, 1992.

Professor Bopearachchi is the author of numerous publications including books, catalogues, translations and many research papers which he has already presented at many archaeological summits and international colloquiums held in various countries around the world.

The prestigious Palmes Academiques title is awarded by the government of France for the meritorious work done in the academic field.