The permanent access road to the Palaly Raja Rajeshwari Amman Temple, temporarily opened for the temple festival after being released from the Sri Lankan military's high-security zone, was closed again on 31 July following the conclusion of the festival. Although the temple area had been released last year, the public had only been allowed to reach the temple by a temporary route, while the permanent road remained shut. In the days before the festival, local residents fenced off their private land, making the temporary route impassable for devotees. "The road was temporarily opened for the festival in response to requests made by the public. Necessary steps are now being taken to keep the road permanently open, and it will be reopened within one month," he said.