Archives

Death of Edward 'Bugs' Mason

Edward 'Bugs' Mason, doyen of Sri Lanka's motorsports and the country's leading motoring journalist, passed away yesterday after a brief illness at the Colombo National Hospital. He was 86.

Mason served the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL) for nearly 60 years. He has been editing Motormag, the Sunday Observer's motoring supplement, for over 40 years. He also compiled a motoring section for the Daily Observer. He worked right up to the day he died and was a regular sight at Observer and Daily News editorials.

He also regularly contributed to 'Wheels in Motion', the Daily News motoring supplement. He had a vast knowledge of every aspect of motoring and kept up to date with the latest developments in the auto industry. The presence of Mason was a 'must' for local agents at car launches.

He was an active member of the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AA) and the country's classic car clubs. He had a soft corner for vintage cars, which he admired for their grace and reliability. A former racing driver himself, Mason was later involved in organising motorsports events at Kandy, Katukurunda, Ratnapura and other rally circuits. He was seen flagging off many a motor rally.

He was so well recognised as the leading authority on local motorsports events that even ace Formula I driver Michael Schumacher used to correspond with him and send him numerous magazines on motor sports.

He was a familiar figure in the ANCL library. He used to regularly visit the library where he used to do research for his articles.

Born in 1915, Mason was educated at St. Anthony's College, Kandy and St. Joseph's College, Colombo. He played football for the school team. He served the Army during the World War II.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter. His sons and grandsons are also keen motorsports fans. His wife predeceased him over an year ago. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager