Refund & Cancellation Policy

Effective Date: 8 October 2026 • Version 2.1

1. Subscription Cancellation Policy

Subscribers may cancel their Republic Square recurring subscription at any time without penalty or cancellation fees:

• Self-Service Cancellation: Every invoice and receipt email issued by Paddle contains a direct, secure link to the Paddle Customer Self-Service Portal. You can pause or cancel your subscription with a single click.
• Email Cancellation: Alternatively, you may submit a cancellation or refund request by emailing publishing@dinidu.org or via paddle.net with your account email address. All requests are processed within forty-eight (48) hours.
• Post-Cancellation Access: When you cancel your subscription, automatic renewals cease immediately. If you elect not to request a prorated refund, access continues through the conclusion of your current paid billing period.

2. Refund Terms by Subscription Plan

A. Annual Prepaid Subscriptions (Fair Prorated Refund Model)

Rather than enforcing an arbitrary 14-day cutoff window, Republic Square offers a fair, consumption-based prorated refund guarantee on Annual Prepaid subscriptions:

• If you cancel an Annual Prepaid subscription at any point during your subscription year (X months following the date of purchase), your elapsed usage will be calculated at the standard, non-discounted monthly rate ($50.00/month) in effect at the time of purchase.
• The entire remaining unutilised balance of your annual payment is promptly refunded to your original payment method — through Paddle for card payments, or back through the channel used for bank transfers and Payoneer payments.
• Practical Example: If you purchase an Annual Prepaid subscription for $500.00 and cancel after four (4) months of service, the four elapsed months are billed at the standard rate of $50.00/month ($200.00 total). The remaining balance of $300.00 ($500.00 minus $200.00) is refunded to your original payment method.
• Upon completion of the refund, access to protected investigative reports and gift article allocations is concluded.

B. Enterprise / Multi-Seat Subscriptions

Enterprise and Institutional licences are governed by the terms of the individual agreement. Contact me@dinidu.org for pricing, seat counts, and the applicable refund terms.

C. Month-to-Month Subscriptions

Because Republic Square provides instant digital access to premium, deeply-researched investigative journalism, editorial reports, and in-depth analyses upon payment, monthly subscription payments are non-refundable once a monthly billing period commences. You may cancel at any point during the month to prevent all future charges.

3. Exceptional Full Refund Circumstances

A 100% full refund will be promptly issued regardless of plan type in the following verified circumstances:

• Duplicate Billing: Accidental duplicate charges resulting from technical or gateway latency.
• Prolonged Service Outage: Severe technical platform failure rendering Republic Square inaccessible for more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours.
• Fraudulent / Unauthorised Charges: Charges resulting from verified identity or payment card theft reported to Paddle.

4. Refund Processing & Payout Timelines

Once a refund is approved by RSQ’s operational desk, or initiated through Paddle for card payments:

• Card payments: Paddle executes the refund directly to your original payment method (Credit Card, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal).
• Bank transfers and Payoneer payments: the refund is returned through the same channel the payment was received on, once RSQ holds the settlement details.
• Funds typically reflect within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your bank, Payoneer, or card issuer.

5. Dispute Resolution & Assistance

Before initiating a payment dispute or chargeback with your bank or card provider, RSQ encourages you to contact RSQ directly at publishing@dinidu.org, or to reach Paddle’s 24/7 buyer support at paddle.net for card payments. All legitimate billing inquiries and refund calculations are handled within 48 hours.

6. Contact Details

• Republic Square Editorial & Subscriber Desk: publishing@dinidu.org (Response window: 48 hours)
• Platform Publisher: Dinidu de Alwis
• Operating Address: 433, Molawatta Road, Mahawewa, 61220, Sri Lanka
• Merchant Customer Portal: paddle.net