Community Guidelines

Last updated: 1/31/2026

Welcome to the LankaSwap community! We are building Sri Lanka's first point-based circular economy. To keep this marketplace safe, fair, and fun for everyone, we ask all members to follow these guidelines.

By using LankaSwap, you agree to these rules. Breaking them may result in account suspension or a permanent ban.

1. Core Principles

  • Honesty First: Describe items exactly as they are. If it has a scratch, say it.
  • Respect Everyone: We are a diverse community of students, parents, and professionals. Treat everyone with dignity.
  • Stay on Platform: Transactions, chats, and LS Point transfers must happen inside LankaSwap to ensure your safety.
  • Honor Your Commitments: If you agree to a trade or sale, follow through.

2. Listing & Item Rules

A. Accuracy is Mandatory

  • You must select the correct Condition Rating for your item.
  • Do Not: List a broken phone as "Used - Good".
  • Do Not: Use stock photos from Google for used items. You must upload actual photos of the item in your possession.
  • Be upfront about any defects, damages, or wear on items.

B. Pricing Integrity

  • Fair Value: Price items reasonably in LS Points. Listing a used pen for 100,000 LSP to "game" the system is prohibited.
  • No "Cash Only" Listings: You cannot list items asking for LKR cash instead of LS Points. This is a barter platform.

C. Prohibited Items

You may NOT list:

  • Weapons: Firearms, knives, explosives, and any other weapons.
  • Illegal goods: Drugs, stolen property, and items obtained illegally.
  • Counterfeit items: Fake branded goods, pirated media, and replica products.
  • Medical Products: Prescription medicines, unsealed supplements.
  • Digital Goods: Hacked accounts, pirated software, PDFs of copyrighted books (unless you own the rights).
  • Live Animals: Pets or wildlife.
  • Hazardous materials: Chemicals, flammable items, and toxic substances.
  • Hate Speech/Political Propaganda: Materials promoting violence or discrimination.
  • Personal information: Stolen data, accounts, or identity documents.

Listings of prohibited items will be removed immediately, and repeat offenders will face account suspension.

D. No Advertising or Contact Info (Anti-Circumvention)

To protect users from scams, we strictly regulate how you display contact information:

  • No Phone Numbers in Images: You cannot upload photos that have phone numbers, WhatsApp numbers, or social media handles written or watermarked on them. The system AI will flag and block these.
  • Clean Descriptions: Do not include text like "Call me directly on 077..." or "Message me on WhatsApp for a better price" in your item description.
  • No General Ads: Listings must be for a specific physical item you are swapping. You cannot create a listing just to advertise your business, service, or Instagram page.

3. Transaction & Credit Rules

A. The Escrow Rule

LS Points are held in Escrow for a reason. Never ask a buyer to share the Release Code before they have inspected the item in person.

  • Sellers: Do not pressure buyers to release funds early.
  • Buyers: Only release LS Points after you've verified the item matches the listing.

B. No Off-Platform Deals

⚠️ Safety Warning: If a user asks you to chat on WhatsApp or pay via Bank Transfer to avoid fees, Report Them immediately. We cannot protect you or refund your LS Points if the transaction happens outside LankaSwap.

C. Point Farming

Creating fake accounts to collect "Welcome Bonuses" is fraud. We track device IDs and will ban all associated accounts permanently.

4. Safety & Meetups

A. Meeting in Person

  • Public Places Only: Meet at malls, supermarkets (e.g., Keells/Cargills parking), or university entrances.
  • Daylight Hours: Avoid meeting late at night.
  • Bring a Friend: It is always safer to have company.
  • Check seller/buyer ratings and badges before meeting.

B. Shipping (Courier)

  • Proof is Required: Sellers must upload a clear photo of the Tracking Slip AND the Packed Item.
  • Buyer Responsibility: Verify the package immediately upon arrival. You have a limited window to raise a dispute before funds are auto-released.

5. Communication & Behavior

A. Respectful Language

We support English, Sinhala, and Tamil. Use the language you are comfortable with, but remain polite.

  • No harassment: Bullying, threats, intimidation, or hate speech will not be tolerated.
  • Zero Tolerance: Harassment, threats, sexual advances, or hate speech in chat will result in an immediate Permanent Ban.
  • No discrimination: Treat all members equally regardless of race, religion, gender, or background.
  • Respect privacy: Never share another user's personal information without consent.

B. No Spamming

  • Do not message sellers just to advertise your own business or beg for free LS Points.
  • Do not spam the "Bid" button to annoy others.
  • Avoid sending repeated promotions or irrelevant content.

6. Dispute Resolution

A. Fair Play

  • If an item is not as described, the Buyer is entitled to a return. The Seller must accept the return and cover reasonable costs if they were at fault.
  • If a Buyer damages an item after receiving it, the Seller is not responsible.
  • Try to resolve directly: First, communicate with the other party to find a solution.
  • Provide evidence: Keep records of all communications, photos, and transaction details.
  • File disputes promptly: If you can't resolve the issue, file a dispute within the allowed timeframe.
  • Cooperate with admins: Respond to admin requests for information during dispute resolution.

Note: Disputes can only be filed for orders processed through our LS Points system.

7. Consequences: The Strike System

We track violations to maintain community safety:

  • Strike 1: Warning and removal of the offending content.
  • Strike 2: 7-Day Account Suspension.
  • Strike 3: Permanent Ban (Account & Device).

⚠️ Severe violations (fraud, theft, harassment, selling prohibited items) skip directly to a Permanent Ban. In cases of fraud, remaining LS Points may be forfeited.

In extreme cases, we may report violations to relevant authorities.

8. Account Security

Keeping your account secure protects both you and the community:

  • Use a strong password: Create a unique password that you don't use elsewhere.
  • Verify your account: Complete identity verification to build trust and unlock features.
  • Keep your contact info updated: Ensure your phone number and email are current.
  • Never share login credentials: LankaSwap will never ask for your password.
  • Log out on shared devices: Always log out when using public or shared computers.
  • Report unauthorized access: If you notice suspicious activity, contact us immediately.

9. Reporting Issues

If you see something wrong, say something:

  • Listings: Use the "Report Item" flag on the product page.
  • Users: Use the "Report User" option in chat or on their profile.
  • Silent Report: If you feel unsafe, use the "Silent Report" feature. The user will not know you reported them, but our Admins will investigate immediately.
  • Provide as much detail as possible about the violation.
  • Include screenshots or evidence when available.
  • For urgent matters, contact us directly at hello@lankaswap.lk.

All reports are reviewed by our moderation team, and we take appropriate action to maintain community safety.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Community Guidelines, please contact us at:
Email: hello@lankaswap.lk

Community Guidelines | LankaSwap