He is a numismatist, art historian and archaeologist. He is an author of 16 books, 6 Exhibition Catalogues; 2 translations of books; editor of 6 volumes; author of 149 research articles; 9 prefaces; 14 book reviews in reputed international journals and 2 databases. He has read 105 papers at international colloquia; presented 322 conferences in 160 universities, museums and associations all over the world, and has carried out archaeological missions in 29 different countries.
Prof. Bopearachchi holds B.A. from the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka), and B.A. honours, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. from the Paris 1 Sorbonne University, and a Higher Doctorate (Habilitation) from the Paris 4 Sorbonne University.
He is recipient of prestigious international awards. French Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres bestowed most prestigious awards to five of his books and "George Perrot Medal” being the most distinguished one. He was raised to the position of the “Order of Academic Palms” by the French government. He published six books during the last five years and the book When West Met East: Gandhāran Art Revisted published by Manoha (Delhi) in 2020 received the distinguished “Ikuo "Hiriyama Award” attributed by the French Academy.
Les événements importants liés à la vie du Bouddha Gautama ne sont pas représentés de manière cohérente dans les anciennes écoles d'art d'Asie du Sud et du Sud-Est, et son éveil représenté sur la bannière de l'ancienne collection Adhémard Leclère au Musée des Beaux-arts et de la dentelle d'Alençon, suscite la controverse. Cette communication démontre que cette controverse est due à la confusion et à l'irrégularité de la façon dont les événements liés à la vie du Bouddha sont relatés dans les textes sacrés.