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General
Most airlines impose a checked-in baggage allowance of 20kg-30kg for economy, 30kg-40kg for Business class and 40kg-60kg for First. These rules are now governed by IATA Resolution 302, and airlines can and do offer industry members, traders, premium seat holders, higher tier frequent flyers, migrant workers, package holiday-makers and long-term students extra allowances in all classes on some airlines (hence the range given).

In the US however, many airlines have a zero baggage policy for domestic flights, which means that these have to be paid on checkin.
Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees

Checked-in Luggage
The normal weight of a single piece of unaccompanied baggage (luggage in the hold) of 23kg and size to 158cm (62 inches) in total dimensions (length+width+height). Certain airports will not handle bags weighing over 32kg. Oversize baggage may be sent as unaccompanied cargo separately paying a (usually high) premium. To the United States and Canada, the allowance states "two pieces" (each 32kg for most North American carriers, and 23kg for British/Asian/Middle Eastern carriers). For practical considerations, it is recommended that the aggregate weight per person be less than 50kg. The First Class allowance is "three pieces" (as above).  

Hand Luggage
The dimension limitations for accompanied / cabin baggage is a total of 7kg, with dimensions totalling 115cm (45 inches) including protrusions. This is subject to fitting to it fitting into, and the passenger being able to lift it into, the overhead locker.

All airline members of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) have agreed that the following may also be carried over and above your entitlement of cabin baggage.

See Also
Duty Free Allowances
Exchange Control Regulations
Emirates Baggage Allowance Calculator

General Recommendations

• Please do travel light!
• Do not carry your wallet in your rear hip pocket at your destination
  (some countries are tourist-secure, but it's better to be safe, than sorry).
• Please remember to check your room safe on departure
• You do not need to carry your passport around at your destination, however, keep it in a secure place at all times
• You will not require your NID, local membership cards and any other identification only in Sri Lankan languages. Don't carry them with you
• Do use good quality bags with wheels and a combination (pad)lock which is not damaged easily
• Don't wear your belt and shoes or carry a lot of coins in your wallet if your itinerary involves a transit in Dubai. You will be inconvenienced at the gate before boarding. Keep these alarm-triggering items inside your cabin baggage
• Do not place jewellery and valuables in your check-in baggage
• Do remove old baggage tags and stickers, so as to not cause confusion
• Do retain your baggage tag (usually pasted on the rear of your ticket) and boarding pass on hand, as you may be checked when retrieving bags
• Do avoid overpacking, and pack fragile items securely and mark your baggage clearly with your name, address and contact details
• Do adhere to the restrictions of the airline regarding liquor, inflammable, sharp, dangerous, poisonous, corrosive and oxidising materials in the cabin and in your checkin baggage. These should appear on your ticket
• Do buy at your destination(s) if you can't fit everything in
• Don't carry more than 2 suitcases with roll carriages per person
  
  Checklist
  
  Ever forgot something that you really should have packed?
  Click the link above to download a list that may prove useful. 
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  For Gents - leisure
• Trousers, shirts, underwear, socks, one pair each formal & informal ("trainers"/"sneakers"/"sports shoes").  Omit formal if not required. One colour scheme advisable (i.e. matching colours: Blue/Black, Brown/Green). No more than two changes per day
• Slippers. For pool, beach or desert
• A Comb or hairbrush
• Passport, Air ticket, embarkation card and a pen in your shirt pocket or in the travel agent docket inside a cabin baggage sidepocket
• Train tickets and timetable, Hotel Vouchers and / or booking references, if applicable
• Handkerchiefs same colour scheme
• Wallet (see above)
• Leather/Heavy Jacket and sweaters (if applicable)
• Toothbrush(es) & Toothpaste, razor with spare blades
• Hardcopy of essential addresses, tourist advice and telephone numbers
• Watch with Alarm
• Booking Nos. and/or reservation printouts for attractions/events and other Traveller's Passes, if purchased in advance
• Roaming/SIM Mobile-or Smartphone
• Camera. Extra battery(ies)
• Medication if required with its prescription if available, and a moisturiser for cold and dry climates. Note that the requirement for a prescription may change from country to country
• In Summer: Sunscreen SPF 15 or better (protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays too)
• Travel Insurance, with the card for numbers to call
• Neckties for formal occasions
• A large compressed laundry bag for your used clothes on longer trips
  
  Travel Money

• Cash (destination currency). However, most currencies (except: USD, GBP, JPY, SGD, CHF, EUR, THB) cannot be easily purchased in Sri Lanka.

• Your ATM or account-linked credit or debit card. See: PLUS | Cirrus. Note that HSBC Advance and HSBC Premier customers may withdraw from an HSBC ATM anywhere in the world from their own account, and not the credit card account, without any additional charge (at the prevailing preferential HSBC exchange rate).

• Note that it is increasingly difficult to cash Traveller's Cheques, except in the United States, where it is possible to use them to pay for goods and services. Unless you need a large amount, avoid carrying them.
  
  For Ladies - leisure (in addition to the above)
   

• Your purse
• Essential toiletries and a small makeup kit
• Browse the web for the dress codes of your destination. In most places it's better to be more formally dressed (say, in a suit or jacket) than to be too casual. Conservativeness is also safer in the Middle East, where skirt lengths to the knee rather than bare legs are advisable
• A formal pair of shoes with a small heel would do for an evening out as well as a hotel with a dress code. A second, flat and comfortable slip-on pair is ideal for casual/exercise or travelling

For Ladies and Gents - Business

Notebook computer (Laptop)/Tablet/Smartphone
Neckties or bows and lounge suit or other formal wear as appropriate for the destination
Visiting cards and your business documents

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