The Embassy of Sri Lanka in France hosted a special event on Friday, 23 January 2026, to honour Professor Eric Paul Meyer, eminent French historian and distinguished scholar of Sri Lankan studies, in recognition of his long and outstanding contribution to scholarship on Sri Lanka, and for his commitment to fostering France–Sri Lanka relations. The event was held at the Embassy premises in Paris with the participation of a small, select gathering of academics, historians, former diplomats and friends of Sri Lanka.
Professor Meyer is Emeritus Professor of Indian History at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Inalco), Paris. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, he has served as President of the Scientific Council of BULAC (University Library for Languages and Civilizations), Fellow of the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and Director of the Centre for Indian and South Asian Studies (CEIAS).
A leading scholar-historian, Prof. Meyer has dedicated his academic life to the study of Sri Lankan history, sociology and ethnography. His extensive body of work includes numerous publications addressing a broad range of themes, including agrarian and labour history of Sri Lanka; the intersection of politics, religion and democracy in modern-day Sri Lanka; sociopolitical developments in South Asia and Sri Lanka, as well as the dynamics of Sri Lankan “diasporas” living in Europe. Over the years, Prof. Meyer has collaborated with internationally renowned scholars such as Prof. Jonathan Spencer, Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda and Prof. Sasanka Perera, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, Manisha Gunasekera, highlighted Prof. Meyer’s long and distinguished career, his close academic collaboration and links with Sri Lanka, and his invaluable contribution to enhancing academic and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and France over the years. The Ambassador also recalled Prof. Meyer’s proactive role in establishing the “Friends of Sri Lanka” Group and the “Franco–Sri Lanka Study Circle” in France, under the patronage of the Sri Lanka Embassy, more than three decades ago.
Representing the President of Inalco, Deputy Vice President Mr. Alexandre Toumarkine addressed the gathering, and paid tribute to Prof. Meyer’s outstanding contribution to South Asian studies. He underscored Prof. Meyer’s leadership role as former Head of the South Asian Studies Department at Inalco, and his significant contribution towards the development of the University. On the subject of Inalco, reference was also made by the Ambassador and invitees to the Sinhala Language Division in the South Asia Department at Inalco, and to Prof. Meyer’s steadfast support in advancing Sinhala language and civilization studies in France.
The event was attended by Professor Jean-Luc Racine, Emeritus Senior Research Director at CNRS; Mr. Eric Lavertu, former Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka, and Mme. Annie Lavertu; Prof. Nadeera Rajapakse, Assistant Professor at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne; and other distinguished guests. During the discussion that followed, participants reflected on Prof. Meyer’s legacy as well as his extensive contribution to Sri Lankan studies, and the academic networks he fostered between France, Sri Lanka, South Asia and the world. The discussion also focused on the future trajectory of South Asian studies in France, with particular focus on Sri Lanka.
In his remarks, Prof. Meyer shared invaluable insights into the history of France–Sri Lanka cultural ties, people-to-people exchanges, memorable anecdotes, and his own areas of research. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a commemorative plaque by the Ambassador to Prof. Meyer in recognition of his outstanding contribution to research and scholarship on Sri Lanka, as well as for his dedication to strengthening France-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
The event reaffirmed the shared interest among the participants to advancing academic collaboration, and to expanding the space for Sri Lankan studies as well as the celebration of Sri Lankan culture, in France.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Paris, France
26 February 2026
