Safe meetup guidelines
Simple habits that keep book handovers pleasant and safe, wherever you are in Sri Lanka.
Your meetup, your decision
BookSwap.lk is a service provider. We help readers find each other and talk, but we do not arrange, attend, supervise or guarantee any meetup, swap, loan or sale.
Whether to meet, where, when and with whom is entirely up to you and the other member, and you do so at your own risk. BookSwap.lk is not liable for any loss, damage, injury or dispute arising from meetups or exchanges between members.
Please use your own judgement and the guidance on this page. If something does not feel right, you are always free to cancel.
Read our Terms of Service →Good places to meet
Meet in daylight, in public places with plenty of people around.
Transit hubs
Major railway stations (Colombo Fort, Maradana, Kandy, Galle) and central bus stands.
Libraries and campuses
Public library foyers, university libraries and student centres.
Bookshops and cafés
Busy cafés, bookshops and well-lit shopping centre lobbies.
Before, during and after
- 01
Keep chats on BookSwap.lk
Agree on the book, time and place in BookSwap.lk messages so there is a record if anything goes wrong.
- 02
Tell someone where you are going
Let a friend or family member know who you are meeting and where. For a first meetup, consider bringing someone along.
- 03
Never pay in advance
Do not send money or bank transfers before you have seen the book in person.
- 04
Inspect the book
Take a minute to check the cover, spine and pages match the listing before you swap or pay.
- 05
Protect your privacy
Do not share your home address. Meet in public rather than at someone’s home.
- 06
Trust your instincts
If a request or a person makes you uncomfortable, cancel the meetup and let us know. You never owe anyone a meeting.
Something wrong?
Tell us about a member, listing or meetup that worried you, and our moderators will look into it. In an emergency, call the police on 119.