Colombo, Sept. 10 -- Former Sri Lankan cricket legend Aravinda de Silva on Wednesday extended a welcome to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's for his ongoing official visit to Sri Lanka, calling the bilateral relationship pivotal for the island nation and characterising India as its "closest and big brother neighbour".

Speaking with ANI on the significance of the high-level engagement between the two neighbouring nations, de Silva expressed optimism over the visit, noting that a visit by an Indian defence minister comes after a long hiatus.

"I think it's great to see such a personality visiting Sri Lanka, and especially after a long layoff for, I think, over 30-odd years," de Silva said.

Underlining the strategic and historical ties conn...