Brian Lara will be out of action for up to six weeks after doctors confirmed the West Indies star batsman has contracted hepatitis.

Lara has already been ruled out of the team's forthcoming tour of India after spending three days in hospital for tests.

"Brian will leave for home at the earliest convenience," said West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt.

However, Skerritt refused to answer questions on the possible cause of the illness, replying: "If I could say that, I would have put it in the statement."

And it was not made clear what type of hepatitis had been diagnosed, the illness varying massively in its severity.

Lara was taken to Colombo's Apollo Hospital after falling ill during an innings of 111 against Kenya on Tuesday.

He was named man of the match, but was unable to pick up his award.