governor william manning opened merchant ward (currently ward no. 15) in october 1918. the skinner memorial ward was established and adjoining it the gnanasekaram ward was built in 1924. these two wards are currently known as ward no. 16. physiotherapy and rheumatology units were added in the 1920s a private home on ward place was converted into a dental clinic in 1925 and the radiology unit was established in the administration building in 1926. the marque memorial ward was established in 1938 for the catholic nun nurses whilst the coudert memorial ward was established in 1941 for christian clergymen. the khan memorial ward (ward no. 51) was established in 1939 to treat paediatric orthopaedic patients. colombo college of nursing was founded on 9 may 1939.