A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk enters Oxford University after 105 years

St Cross College which is under the Oxford University England has enrolled Venerable Wadigala Samitharathana thus making him the first Buddhist monk to become a student of the university after 105 years.   Venerable Samitharathana has been enrolled to pursue a MPhil degree in Buddhist Studies at the college.  

St Cross College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, known for its vibrant and diverse academic community.  

The last Sri Lankan Buddhist monk to study at Oxford was Venerable Suriyagoda Sumangala, who became the first monk to receive a scholarship and enter the university in 1919. He enrolled as a non-collegiate student and later pursued a BLitt at Harris Manchester College.