Noted Malayalam writer and literary critic Dr. M. Leelavathy has been selected for this year's Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary honour instituted by the Kerala government. The award carries one lakh rupees, a citation and a statuette, and is named after the father of Malayalam literature, Thunchath Ezhuthachan. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will present the award at a function to he held in Thiruvananthapuram in December. A panel, headed by Jnanpith laureate Prof. O.N.V. Kurup, selected Dr. Leelavathy for the prestigious award. State Minister of Education and Culture M.A. Baby and panel members called on Dr. Leelavathy at her residence in Kochi last evening and informed her about the selection.