Celebration of legacy of Sieur de La Nérolle and historic Franco-Sri Lanka ties

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in France hosted an evening with Yasmin Rajapakse discussing her meticulously researched book ‘La Nérolle, Huguenot Charentais de l’escadre de Perse à Ceylan (1672)’ on 19 January at the Embassy premises in Paris 16. 

The interactive discussion entailed a fascinating journey to the times of Sieur de La Nérolle who settled in Ceylon, the cosmopolitan Court of the formidable King of Kandy, the Persian squadron dispatched by the Sun King Louis XIV, and the associated historic connections between 17th-18th century Ceylon and France. The discussion was moderated by Nadeera Rajapakse, Assistant Professor, Université Paris 1, Pantheon-Sorbonne, and was followed by a Q&A session. The opening remarks were delivered by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera.

Friends of Sri Lanka including scholars, students and the academia, writers, professionals, Paris-based South Asian diplomats and former French Ambassadors to Sri Lanka were among the attendees. The event was followed by a reception.

The discussion was part of a series of events organised by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Paris celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and France.