Draft:Vykumbura Estate

Vykumbura Estate is situated in Passara, Monaragala District, Sri Lanka. The estate specializes in the cultivation of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) as its primary crops, with further involvement in the processing of rubber into Ribbed Smoke Sheets (RSS) and cocoa into dried cocoa seeds.

As with several other large estates, Vykumbura was nationalized by the government in 1975. Subsequently, in 1980, it was returned to its original owners. Currently, the estate is managed as five separate, independently managed sections.

History
Vykumbura Estate, originally named Vykumbra Group, was established in 1921 and commenced operations in 1922.

Between 1921 and 1925, the estate was under the ownership of Vykumbra Rubber Company Ltd., and from 1926 to 1927, it was owned by Hingurugama Tea and Rubber Co. Ltd.

In 1928, ownership was transferred to Lunuva (Ceylon) Tea & Rubber Estates Ltd, and the estate was managed by Harrisons and Crosfield Ltd. This sprawling plantation covered 1047 acres of rubber with cocoa intercropped, a Manager's Bungalow, a fully-fledged RSS Factory, and labor quarters.

In 1967, the estate transitioned into the hands of its first Sri Lankan owners and was managed by M. D. Gunasena & Company until 1975 when it was taken over by the government-owned Land Reforms Commission (LRC). Subsequently, the estate was transferred to the Janatha Estates Development Board, where it remained under management until 1979, when it was once again transferred to the Land Reforms Commission.

Later on, in 1980, the estate returned to its original Sri Lankan owners after the sections were divided according to their shareholding.

Current Operations
Presently, the combined extent encompasses approximately 600 acres, and it is managed and owned by five separate owners.